Meet Henry: The world’s oldest crocodile, still alive at 124 and still growing

As one of the oldest living reptiles, Henry is an incredible representation of what it means to be 'old'. He is also a 124-year-old Nile crocodile. Not only has he been alive for a century, but he has also grown larger in that time, through being a large reptile that could grow throughout his life.His massive size, long time in existence and indefinite survival have made Henry a popular and well-known reptile. Because of this, scientists have studied him, conservation organisations have worked with him, and he has had many visitors to see him within their respective facilities. Henry’s extraordinary longevity offers a living masterclass in reptilian biology, proving that with the right environment, nature’s ancient giants can endure.It is believed that Henry was born somewhere around 1900 in the Okavango Delta, although his exact birthdate is not known. Researchers and wildlife experts still debate aspects of his early years due to limited historical records from that period.Henry’s name was derived from Sir Henry Neumann, a hunter who was originally sent to either catch or kill Henry because he became notorious among the locals due to some threats posed in the early 1900s. However, Neumann chose to save rather than kill the animal.This origin story is a key part of Henry’s identity, turning him from a feared wild predator into one of the most famous crocodiles in history, symbolising an unusual bond between humans and dangerous wildlife in the region over time.Currently, Henry lives in the Crocworld Conservation Centre in South Africa, having been kept there since 1985.Living in a protected environment may be one of the reasons that has helped him live for such a long time. For instance, wild crocodiles are exposed to danger from starvation, diseases, and humans. On the other hand, Henry receives regular attention and food in his new habitat.His age may also be explained by another biological factor. The crocodile is a cold-blooded creature, and therefore, it consumes less energy than mammals do.He has a body length of around five metres (16 feet) and weighs around 700 kilograms, placing him among the biggest captive crocodiles.Among the most amazing things about Henry is his reproductive history. He has been responsible for the birth of over 10,000 babies since he was brought to Crocworld, playing an important role in crocodile conservation.It should be noted that Henry lives alongside several female crocodiles, which explains his unusually high number of offspring. The life story of Henry tells much more than just the story itself; it is also informative about reptile ageing and survival. The continuous growth, longevity, and reproduction even make him important for scientific study. Researchers also view Henry as a rare example of how some reptiles may age differently from mammals, maintaining their strength and reproductive abilities even at an advanced age.In addition, Henry also represents the way in which conservation areas enable animals to have healthy lives. From a deadly predator in Botswana to the largest living lizard in South Africa, Henry's life reflects what can happen to an animal during its lifetime.Although having existed on Earth for over a century already, Henry still stands out among other members of the animal kingdom thanks to his size and life expectancy.