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Armored, scaly skin, and a toothy grin. This description probably conjured up an image of a crocodile in your mind, right? You might have seen them in person (hopefully from a safe distance) or on a TV show, crawling on land or lounging in the water. Rightly so, as crocodiles can survive both on land and in water. Regardless of where they live, don’t you think it would be interesting to know a little more about their lifespans?
How Long Can Crocodiles Live?
The lifespan of a crocodile varies greatly, ranging from 25–70 years! Saltwater crocodiles living in coastal waters and wetlands enjoy a long life of more than 70 years. In contrast, freshwater crocodiles living in rivers, pools, creeks, and lagoons have a shorter life of 40–60 years.
Another factor to consider is the difference in the size of the crocodile. Bigger crocodiles usually have longer lives as compared to the smaller ones. The reason: metabolism.
A crocodile’s metabolism has evolved in a way that allows it to store almost all of the food it consumes. What this means is, in case of a food shortage, larger crocodiles can store enough energy to survive without a snack for up to a year. It is indeed a handy trick to have in case a crocodile is not able to catch prey due to disease, infection, or old age slowing it down.
Crocodiles may seem to be tough and strong, but they too are at the mercy of their natural habitat. Additionally, the type of diet, and how often they are exposed to predators and disease can affect the lifespan of these creatures.
Lifespan of crocodiles in captivity
In the wild, the lifespan of a crocodile is often limited by adverse factors such as lack of food and chances of infection. But did you know that a crocodile kept in captivity can live for up to 100–120 years?
To prove this point, let’s meet the mighty Cassius.
Cassius is a seawater crocodile and holds the world record for being the largest captive crocodile. His age is estimated to be around 110 to 120 years. Another crocodile, Freshie, is said to be the oldest crocodile in captivity. Any guesses about that crocodile’s age? It’s a staggering figure of 140 years.
Fact check: In scientific circles and outside of them, there is a common belief that crocodiles are immortal and that they grow indefinitely. This is a misconception. They may age slowly, but they do age.
Microbes, microbes, the secret to health
Compared to many animals, crocodiles have a very long life. And many scientists have speculated that the reason might lie in their tummies. Microorganisms living in the stomach and intestines of a crocodile might be the secret to the crocodile’s longevity. So, why not take a deep dive into the tiny world of microorganisms?
All of our digestive systems have a certain amount and composition of microorganisms. These gut microorganisms are our superheroes, as they provide us with essential nutrients and prevent the bad, disease-causing microbes from accumulating in our bodies. Research conducted in the past few years has found that microbes belonging to the types Actinobacteria, Firmicutes , and others inhabit the tummies and intestines of crocodiles. Apart from having names that sound like tongue twisters, they seem to improve the health of crocodiles. These tiny beings release certain chemicals that have cancer-fighting activity, allowing crocodiles to stay free of old-age-related diseases such as cancer. This might be the reason crocodiles seem to have such long lives.
However, research on this topic is still in its early stages, and no firm results have been reached. So, if you are someone who likes the mysterious nature of the crocs, this might be the right opportunity for you to explore as a future, budding scientist.
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Read more:
- Alligators vs crocodiles
- Top 10 dangerous animals
- What was the lifespan of a dinosaur?
Glossary
Crocodile: A type of large semi-aquatic reptile
Saltwater: Refers to waters having high salt concentrations, such as oceans and seas
Freshwater: Refers to waters having low salt content, such as lakes and rivers
Metabolism: The process of energy production and utilization in the body
Gut microbiome: Microorganisms occurring in the stomach or intestines
Digestive system: Includes organs such as the mouth, stomach, and intestines that break down and utilize food
Actinobacteria; Firmicutes: Types of bacteria
References
Oceana. (2023, May 18). Saltwater Crocodile – Oceana. https://oceana.org/marine-life/saltwater-crocodile/
Mayne, B., Berry, O., & Jarman, S. (2020). Redefining life expectancy and maximum lifespan for wildlife management. Austral Ecology, 45(7), 855–857. https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.12931
Admin. (2014). Crocodile Secrets of Survival. Nature. https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/supersize-crocs-crocodile-secrets-of-survival/1750/#:~:text=A%20croc’s%20metabolism%20is%20so,a%20long%20period%20of%20time.
Feed. (2023b, July 4). World’s largest crocodile, believed to be over 110 years old, is still growing. The Economic Times. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/new-updates/worlds-largest-crocodile-believed-to-be-over-110-years-old-is-still-growing/articleshow/101484335.cms?from=mdr
Siddiqui, R., Maciver, S. K., Elmoselhi, A., Soares, N. C., & Khan, N. A. (2021). Longevity, cellular senescence and the gut microbiome: lessons to be learned from crocodiles. Heliyon, 7(12), e08594. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08594
