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Nature & Environment

Giant killer crocodile breaks world record

By T.K. Randall
July 3, 2012 · Comment icon 36 comments

Image Credit: Vassil
A massive crocodile caught in the Philippines has been confirmed as the largest in the world.
At a staggering seven meters in length, the enormous reptile was caught after an extensive effort by villagers who had become concerned about their safety when a child was killed by the creature and a fisherman had gone missing. The villagers finally managed to capture it after a three-week hunt using steel traps, it took 100 people to hoist the beast on to the back of a truck.

The crocodile ( nicknamed Lolong ) has since become a star attraction at a new ecotourism park. "We're really proud because it proves the rich biodiversity of our place but at the same time, there are fears that Lolong may not be alone," said town mayor Edwin Cox Elorde. A new team of hunters is currently combing the surrounding area.
Lolong weighs more than a ton, and has taken the top spot from an Australian crocodile which measured more than five metres, a Guinness World Records spokesman said.


Source: Sky News | Comments (36)




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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #27 Posted by DeathRain2012 13 years ago
Thats totally awesome that they didn't kill the beast.
Comment icon #28 Posted by Blazar 13 years ago
what about Gustave... Thought he was estimated at 25 ft but never captured after many failed attempts. even ate a hippo!!
Comment icon #29 Posted by NikkiAidyn 13 years ago
Amazing. This creature must be respected.
Comment icon #30 Posted by CRIPTIC CHAMELEON 13 years ago
I do remember reading a book about crocs when I was at school and that had a photo [circa early 1900s] of two gus who shot this croc which measured at least 30 feet/9m and I have seen this photo pop up on youtube etc and I dont think the original photo was tampered with as it pre-dates all these idiots on the look at me youtube. But now that they are protected in some areas they have a chance to grow to full size so I wouldnt be to amazed to see a salty at 25 to 30 + more often.
Comment icon #31 Posted by Katana357 13 years ago
What is most impressive is the fact that a reptile of this size will have seen a minimum of two centuries go by. After Crocs reach approximately 12 feet in length they begin to gain massive amounts of weight while slowing in their growth length wise. A salt-water croc in an American zoo that was captured when he was 10 feet, averaged a little under 4 feet every 35 years. He was 17 feet when he died.
Comment icon #32 Posted by Junior Chubb 13 years ago
What is most impressive is the fact that a reptile of this size will have seen a minimum of two centuries go by. After Crocs reach approximately 12 feet in length they begin to gain massive amounts of weight while slowing in their growth length wise. A salt-water croc in an American zoo that was captured when he was 10 feet, averaged a little under 4 feet every 35 years. He was 17 feet when he died. This Crocodile was over 200 years old, what a croc! Is that really possible?
Comment icon #33 Posted by Katana357 12 years ago
Great pun and yes it is possible. Leaving the slower reptilian metabolism out of the equation you must also consider that along with great life spans the crocodile has no natural predators, it's actually one of the few "keystone" predators that affects water and land habitats equally, but croc's also have stunning immune systems while also having the ability to hibernate during periods of drought. This is one of many reasons why the crocodile remains one of the most unchanged animals through out its evaluation. The design works in a near state of perfection for what it needs to do to survive.
Comment icon #34 Posted by msmike1 12 years ago
Crocs, like a lot of animals, humans included are not all the same. Just like some humans will be over 6ft tall others will not. Genetics plays a major role in a croc getting this big. I am also not saying a croc couldn't live 200yrs, anything is possible, but no croc has ever been aged even close to that. Their average life span is generally 60 to 70 yrs and thats old for a wild specimen. Crocs do grow fast during their first 10 to 16 years. This is usually how long it takes for saltwater crocs to reach sexual maturity. Growth slows down considerably after that, but does not stop completely. ... [More]
Comment icon #35 Posted by Junior Chubb 12 years ago
Great pun and yes it is possible. Leaving the slower reptilian metabolism out of the equation you must also consider that along with great life spans the crocodile has no natural predators, it's actually one of the few "keystone" predators that affects water and land habitats equally, but croc's also have stunning immune systems while also having the ability to hibernate during periods of drought. This is one of many reasons why the crocodile remains one of the most unchanged animals through out its evaluation. The design works in a near state of perfection for what it needs to do to survive. ... [More]
Comment icon #36 Posted by BaneSilvermoon 12 years ago
what about Gustave... Thought he was estimated at 25 ft but never captured after many failed attempts. Gustave is almost always exaggerated when people talk of his size, especially after Primeval added to his fame. All of the real estimates you'll find on him place him around 20 foot, though he may be pretty similar to the size of this articles beast. The largest living croc in the world is SUPPOSEDLY in Bhitarkanika National Park in Orissa, but it has yet to be confirmed and is purely anecdotal. Oddly, despite having not been officially measured Guinness recognizes it as well. I can never rem... [More]


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