This is the oldest crocodile in the world

Henry the crocodile at the Crocworld Conservation Center will turn 124 years old later this year and has fathered more than 10,000 calves over the past few decades .

(Video: Channel 5).

At an estimated age of 123, Henry is the oldest known crocodile in the world. With his age comes his enormous size. The massive crocodile measures more than 16 feet from snout to tail and weighs 1,500 pounds , according to IFL Science . In comparison, the average Nile crocodile is 15 feet long and weighs around 900 pounds. Despite its name, this species lives in much of Africa.

Scientists believe Henry was born in 1900 in the Okavango Delta swamps of Botswana, according to the Crocworld Conservation Center in South Africa, where he has lived since 1985. After arriving at Crocworld, Henry mated with at least six females. His keepers estimate he fathered more than 10,000 cubs in less than 40 years. Henry's birthday is set for December 16, so he will turn 124 later this year. However, because he was born in the wild, no one knows his exact birth date.

According to the British TV show Killer Crocs with Steve Backshall, Henry was captured in 1903 by an elephant catcher named Sir Henry, hence the crocodile's name. Henry spent most of his life in the Okavango Delta, according to the Crocworld website. He now shares his habitat with another elderly crocodile named Colgate, who is estimated to be 90 years old.

Henry the crocodile is massive in size.

Crocodiles can reach 100 years of age in captivity. Some scientists believe that some species of crocodiles exhibit some degree of negligible senescence, a term used to describe organisms that show no signs of biological aging. Theoretically, crocodiles may not die of old age, but rather from external factors such as starvation, accident, or disease.

Crocodiles have extremely long lifespans, especially for animals of their size. Many factors contribute to the reduced health of crocodiles, although some studies suggest that the unusual microbial communities in their guts may be responsible. Given the importance of the microbiome to the physiology of their hosts, it is possible that the gut microbiome and/or metabolism of crocodiles produce compounds that contribute to their longevity and longevity, the researchers suggest.