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.
This article on nocturnal animals list will help you understand the insects, birds, and animals that can hunt and survive in the dark. Indeed mother nature has intrigued us in various ways. Similar to the presence of thorns in desert plants to grow in less water or arid soil, there are some bird and animal species that are adapted to remain active in the darkness as well. Such animal behavior is known as nocturnality. And nocturnal animals are those belonging to this behavioral group. Likewise, plant varieties with the flowers open during night and closed at daytime are called nocturnal plants. In oppose to the diurnal animals that sleep at night, nocturnal animals rest during the daytime and come out at night in search of food. However, in contrary to the common belief that all nocturnal animals see well in the dark, many of them have a poor eyesight.