AGE HOW NATURE TRACKS TIME

Different animal species grow older, or younger, differently, but ageing is determined by the ecosystems they occupy and the natural role they are designated

- POOJA K

Vertebrates on the planet. They live for about 400 years and only reach sexual maturity when they are around 150 years old. They are mostly spotted in the North Atlantic and the Arctic Oceans. Their length can extend up to 21 feet; on average, these sharks weigh up to 907 kg. Since these sharks have an extraordinary lifestyle, they indicate long-term environmental changes in the Arctic. It is believed that studying their tissues can give us an insight into centuries of ecosystem dynamics, and one of the researches conducted in 2020, titled "Science Advances," used radio-carbon dating of Greenland shark eye lenses to trace historical changes in marine food webs caused by climate change and human activity.

Apart from this, by consuming decaying matter, these sharks are indirectly playing a significant role in cleaning the ocean floor and helping stop the spread of diseases that are often caused by decomposing materials inside the waters. Apart from Greenland sharks, various other creatures have challenged their ideal lifecycle, and in turn, have impacted entire ecosystems in their way.

Older animals One such creature is the saltwater crocodile. Though their accurate lifespan is unknown, it is believed that if these crocodilians survive up to their adulthood, they can live for about 70 years. However, some research shows there are two crocodiles that can live for more than 120 years. "Cassius" is one of the largest crocodiles that has been captured, and as of 2023, it is believed to be about 120 years old, and is still ageing.