Oldest Living Crocodile Celebrates 124th Birthday, but He’s not the Only Age Wonder
Henry, a male Nile crocodile, has turned 124 and shows no signs of slowing down. Born in 1900, he’s thought to be one of the oldest ever documented crocodiles, and is remarkable for his longevity. What’s more impressive is that Henry is still growing and has fathered over 10,000 offspring with various females.
This amazing feat has contributed to speculation on the keys to his survival, which have been linked to a slow metabolism, continuous growth, and the physiological trait of being cold-blooded. He and six other females share his habitat at a private wildlife conservation center in South Africa.
On a related note, a new study has suggested that whales, previously thought to live for no longer than 50-70 years, may live far longer, with southern right whales known to live beyond 100 years, and even as long as 130 to 150 years for 10% of this subpopulation. Furthermore, certain bowhead whale populations have been observed to reach remarkable ages beyond 100 years, highlighting the significance of conserving these critically endangered species.
Also, archaeologists have been investigating a previously unknown plant found in Utah from around 47 million years ago, which initially suggested a similarity to ginseng. Through microscopic analysis, the researchers confirmed its uniqueness as part of a long-extinct plant family that boasted peculiar features like retaining reproductive stamens within mature fruits – a rare characteristic not witnessed in modern plant development. These revelations have inspired an exploration into hidden reproductive pathways.
These stunning age-related tales in the plant, whale, and reptile spheres bring to mind important questions around protecting and managing long-lived but critically endangered species to ensure they endure for posterity.
