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.
Frogs tend to be nocturnal because night is the best time for them to catch prey such as insects and worms. Nocturnal terrestrial frogs are often brown or gray with spotted backs, while nocturnal tree frogs are usually green. These camouflage colors keep them hidden from predators as they sleep during the day.