Small animals like hamsters only live 2-3 years (as pets) while animals like crocodiles live on average for 30 to 40 years. Is it because their bodies age or get weaker slower because they have a larger surface area or something?
Thanks for answering
In: Biology
It has to do with an evolutionary theory called K and R reproductive strategy.
Larger animals (whales, elephants, humans, etc.) tend to have fewer offspring that live longer known as the “quality over quantity” approach. This is K strategy.
Smaller animals (mice, ants, frogs, etc) tend to have far more offspring which tend to have short life spans known as the “quantity over quality” approach. This is R strategy.
At some point, organisms realized in an evolutionary sense that their only chance at survival as a species was to adopt either a K or R strategy. This is also why larger animals (K strategy) tend to stay with their mothers longer. There aren’t as many of them compared to smaller animals (R strategy) to keep the species going therefore they not only have naturally longer life spans but are also protected more in infancy when they are most vulnerable.
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