The 5.48-metre Australian crocodile held the world record as the largest crocodile in captivity.

As Cassius was born in the wild, there was no definitive way to determine the croc’s age, but Toody Scott, who was a former keeper of the croc, told AAP that “he “lived well beyond his natural years ... having his own space and not being challenged”.

Cassius died suddenly on Friday at the Marineland Melanesia Crocodile Habitat on Green Island, off Cairns, after a fortnight without eating.

Cassius is being remembered as a “sweetheart”.

One of the croc’s former keeper’s, Toody Scott, told AAP, “He had these big eyes that you’d look into and you could look into his soul.”

“He always had this spark about him, which is very different to working with other crocs.”

The saltwater croc was declared the world’s largest crocodile in captivity by the Guinness World Records in 2011. While he temporarily lost his title to another croc, Lolong, in 2012, Cassius reclaimed his title in 2013 after Lolong’s death.

The saltwater crocodile was officially recognised as the, though temporarily lost it to another crocodile, Lolong, a year later. Cassius reclaimed the title in 2013 after Lolong’s death.