Is Cannibal as Old as the Legendary Balerion the Black Dread?

Based on the available information, no, Cannibal does not appear to be as ancient as Balerion. While the ferocious wild dragon Cannibal was certainly one of the oldest dragons living on Dragonstone during the Dance of Dragons, accounts suggest he did not match the two centuries Balerion amassed as the longest living dragon in Westerosi history.

However, the exact details of Cannibal‘s age remain shrouded in mystery. As an avid fan combing through every breadcrumb of lore revealed in Fire & Blood as well as Targaryen histories, I‘ve gathered clues about how Cannibal stacks up to the venerable Balerion‘s lifespan. Could he have conceivably rivaled Westeros‘s most legendary dragon? Read on, fellow fantasy enthusiasts!

What We Know About the Life and Death of Balerion the Black Dread

Balerion‘s prodigiously long life is well-documented compared to other Targaryen dragons:

• Born in Valyria, over a century old when the Targaryns fled to Dragonstone
• Survived the Doom of Valyria, becoming the last living creature to have witnessed the Freehold
• Lived through the War of Conquest under Aegon I Targaryen – a key advantage enabling victory
• Remained the largest and most battle-hardened dragon in Westeros until death
• Died in 94 AC during the rule of King Jaehaerys I at over 200 years old

With a life spanning over two centuries encompassing such momentous historical events, Balerion earned his reputation as the longest-lived and most legendary dragon lord in Westerosi tradition.

Clues About the Mysterious Cannibal‘s Possible Age

Far less is recorded about the shadowy history of the wild dragon Cannibal. But piecing together what details are available yields some clues:

• An untamed dragon who lived his entire life on Dragonstone
• Said to be older than Sheepstealer, who hatched during King Jaehaerys I‘s rule
• Rumored to potentially be as ancient as Balerion, but no accounts definitively prove this
• Remained fiercely independent and threatening to humans
• Disappeared after the Dance of Dragons, fate unknown

So while Cannibal did have a long life for a dragon, definitively concluding he was Balerion‘s contemporary based on current information is not possible. But exploring fan theories about his potential maximum lifespan is insightful.

Speculation: Could Cannibal Have Surpassed 200 Years?

While not as old as Balerion, Cannibal conceivably could have had an impressively long lifespan over 150-180 years as one of the wild dragons of Dragonstone. Several clues support he could have been exceptionally long-lived:

• Sheepstealer, a smaller dragon, lived nearly as long as Balerion at over 130 years
• Some maesters proposed wild dragons may live longer than those in captivity
• Unprovoked aggression could indicate advanced age madness
• His fierceness suggests survival of perilous events

Ultimately, without records of Cannibal‘s hatching, we can‘t rule out the possibility he may have been one of the longest-lived dragons after Balerion‘s passing. But the evidence remains inconclusive.

Comparing Their Sizes: A Clue to Relative Ages?

Another approach to gauging their relative ages is examining accounts of their sizes. Here a data table helps compare:

*Calculations found on A Wiki of Ice and Fire

Unfortunately Cannibal‘s dimensions were never precisely recorded. But he remained shorter than giants like Vhagar and Meraxes. A smaller size supports Cannibal being younger than Balerion upon his disappearance after the Targaryen civil war.

Verdict: Cannibal‘s Age Remains a Mystery

While many clues suggest Cannibal lived an exceptionally long life as a wild dragon, clear evidence proving he was as old as Balerion remains lacking. His origins and eventual fate obscure deriving an accurate lifespan. Devoted fans can hope more details may someday emerge on this shadowy beast of Dragonstone to fill in the gaps!

But the clues we do have paint Cannibal as epitomizing the untamable fierceness of dragons in their natural state – perhaps another century yet roaming Westeros if not for the Targaryen‘s destructive feuding. Though not Balerion‘s equal, he still earns his reputation as one of the most dangerous and storied wild dragons of his age.