IT'S official - Cairns has the biggest captive crocodile in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records. Cassius, the 5.5m saltwater crocodile, has called Marineland Melanesia his home for 24 years.

Now, he has officially been recognised by Guinness World Records as being the largest croc in captivity.

Cassius will appear in the 2012 edition of the organisation’s book, which will be launched next month.

Marineland Melanesia keeper Toody Scott said he was ecstatic about claiming the world record.

"It confirms our belief that we’ve got the biggest croc, and it’s good that he’s got a bit of recognition for it," he said.

Starting today, The Cairns Post and The NT News are going snout-to-snout to determine which region has the biggest, best and baddest crocodiles in Australia.

Readers will be able to compare the best croc tales from the Far North and the Northern Territory, and vote for which region they think is top of the crocs.

Cassius, who is thought to be at least 100 years old, was captured south of Darwin in 1984, after he attacked one too many boats.

He was relocated to captivity in the Far North in 1987.

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Mr Scott said in the time Cassius had settled into his island home, he had grown even bigger, feasting on a regular diet of fish and chickens.

"We’ve had him measured …and it’s enough to show he’s had a fair bit of growth rate in the 23 years he’s been here," he said.

Cassius bears the scars from his battles with other crocs during his younger days, and has lost his left arm.

But at times, the giant reptile has shown a softer side.

"He has shown a bit of an affectionate side with some of the younger female crocs we’ve introduced to him," Mr Scott said.

"He’s a little bit old to reproduce, but he really did look after a lot of the other crocs that were in the enclosure with him, to the point where he’d even pinch food from the keeper and take it over to them."

But as with most crocodiles, looks can be deceiving.

"He’s a very wise croc, very good at pretending that he’s nice and gentle," Mr Scott said.

"He can very much lull you into a false sense of security, which is what crocodiles are very good at doing.

"I wouldn’t trust him for a second."

The vote runs from today until August 31. The winner will be announced in The Weekend Post and The NT News on September 3.

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