Why Do Tortoises Live For Such A Long Time?
Tortoises are primarily known for two things: their
impressive longevity and their lackluster speed.
The tortoise’s lifespan is so impressive, some have lived
for over 150 years. For example, Jonathan, the world's oldest living tortoise, is fast approaching his 185th birthday.
What’s the secret to their long lifespans?
Well, the answer lies in their anatomy, lifestyle, and diet.
Tortoises have thick shells which offer both protection and shelter. They conserve
energy by taking long naps. Tortoises have a diet of a wide variety of greens,
ensuring that they get good nutrition.
Tortoises have a slow metabolism. Metabolism is the sum of
all the chemical reactions that occur in a living organism while maintaining
life. This includes everything from breathing to digesting food. The slow metabolism
causes the cellular processes such as aging (senescence) to occur at a sluggish
rate.
Ironically, the secret to the tortoise’s seemingly eternal
life is also the cause of their apathetic speed. Their slow metabolism
significantly diminishes muscular movement.
It seems like evolution is a double-edged sword.
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Yeah super ! Let the Mankind follow the tortoise mode for longivity
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