Henry, the oldest crocodile in the world, celebrates his 124th birthday this Monday. So many stories to tell. In the last 40 years alone, he has had more than 10,000 children, with countless “girlfriends”.
Henry is a Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) was originally captured in the Okavango Delta, Botswana, in 1903. Currently and since 1985, it lives at the Crocworld Conservation Center in Scottburgh, South Africa.
The oldest crocodile in the world was father of more than 10,000 offspringwith numerous partners since Crocworld arrived there, almost 40 years ago.
Although his exact date of birth is unknown, Crocworld representatives estimate that he was born around 1900celebrating his birthday every December 16.
Crocodiles, like other reptile species, continue to grow with age. Henry weighs 700 kg and measures 5 metersbeing one of the largest of its species. This factor keeps them safe from potential predators in their old age.
As , reptiles are known for their impressive longevity – which doesn’t just have to do with size.
To this magazine, Steven Austada biologist at the University of Alabama who studies animal aging explains that the fact that they have cold blood allows them conserve energydepending on external heat sources to regulate your body temperature.
There are theories that say that proteins in the blood of Nile crocodiles have antibacterial properties and help them fight infections and diseases. Likewise, some researchers claim that your gut microbiomes may contribute to your robust immune system.
It is likely that Henry’s life in captivity – well fed and safe from accidents and illnesses – also helped him reach this advanced age.
Studying the aging of crocodiles like Henry remains a challenge, as researchers need to catch them in infancy, tag them and follow them throughout their lives. Reptiles, in comparison to many other vertebrates, also show no signs of decline remarkable in physiological capabilities as they age.
