Unfortunately, their calculations of Ming's age weren't possible without cracking open the clam's shell, so researchers didn't realize they were in possession of what was likely the world's oldest living animal â until they had already killed it.
Natural history. 1  All gerbils have long hind feet and fairly large ears and eyes, but there is variation among other characteristics. Body form varies from stout and compact to slender and gracile. 2  Most gerbils are nocturnal; a few species, however, are active only in early morning and evening or during the day. Gerbils walk and scamper on all four limbs and flee in running leaps when alarmed. Some construct short, simple burrows, but others construct elaborate underground galleries.
Geckos (Gekkonidae) are a group of lizards that include about 930 species. Among the more common species of geckos are the tokay gecko, crested gecko, gargoyle gecko, dwarf gecko, leopard gecko, mediterranean gecko, western banded gecko, and the New Caledonian gecko.ost geckos are nocturnal hunters that feed on insects, spiders and other small invertebrates. The tokay gecko is a large species whose diet includes heftier prey such as small lizards, birds and mammals.