At the incredible age of 123, Henry the crocodile is officially the oldest known croc in the world, and he’s lived quite the life! Born around 1900 in the wild swamps of Botswana’s Okavango Delta, this senior reptile has not only survived more than a century but has also fathered thousands of little crocs along the way.
Measuring over 5 meters long (that’s about 16 feet, 5 inches!) and weighing a whopping 700 kilograms (1,543 pounds), Henry is an absolute unit. For comparison, your average Nile crocodile only grows up to 4.5 meters and weighs around 410 kilograms, making Henry a true giant in the croc world!
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Henry’s home for the past few decades has been the Crocworld Conservation Centre in South Africa, where he’s lived since 1985. And let’s just say he hasn’t been lonely—he’s fathered over 10,000 baby crocs, thanks to his six lucky mates!
Even though Henry’s exact birthday isn’t known (he was born in the wild, after all), his special day is celebrated on December 16 each year. That means he’s set to turn 124 later this year, and his keepers will surely throw a party worthy of this grand old croc.
Henry shares his space with another elderly croc named Colgate, who, at 90 years old, is still spry by crocodile standards. While many animals slow down with age, some scientists believe that crocodiles, like Henry, might not experience typical aging. Instead, they may live incredibly long lives, only succumbing to external factors like accidents or illness.
So, what’s Henry’s secret to his long life? Some researchers think it might be linked to the unique microorganisms in crocodile guts, which could play a role in their hardiness and longevity.
With his impressive size, lengthy life, and ever-growing family, Henry truly is a living legend. Here’s to many more sun-soaked days ahead for this incredible croc!