Regeneration is seen in nature many times, it is not a common phenomenon but it is not impossible! Scientists are trying to achieve that for humans too. For animals It is the process of regrow the lost limbs, tissues, and damaged or missing cells in the organism’s body. Almost all mammals show a hint of regenerative abilities, even humans but it stops at very early stages.
Humans can regenerate skin and liver cells but it does not match the abilities of some mammals that can regenerate even their hearts! We will look into the different kinds of animals that have the unique ability that humans have wondered about for a long time. Keep reading to know what are Animals That Can Regrow limbs.
Ø Axolotl
o This alien-looking amphibian can develop its spinal cord. It is a species of aquatic salamander. It is critically endangered. They are mainly known for regrowing their limbs.
o It is known as the peter pan of salamanders. It is an amphibian that spends most of its life in water, unlike others that grow to live on land.
How does axolotl grow its limb?
o It uses the surviving cells of the limb for this, first, the clot is formed at the wounded place and healing of the wound takes place, after that formation of blastema takes place which is a conical structure made mainly of bones, cartilage, muscles and other cells.
o Blastema and its cell keep dividing and at last, it resembles a copy of the lost limb, and everything connected to the body functions the same as before!
This ability of axolotl is unique among vertebrates (animals with spines) because it can regenerate throughout its life
Many invertebrates (animals without spines) have this ability but in vertebrates, the axolotl is different and therefore the process of its regeneration has great use for studying the process for humans.
Ø Flatworms
o These small living beings may look icky but they are awesome enough to regrow any part of their body including their heads.
o They are soft-bodied invertebrates, which do not have specialized organ systems. They are mostly parasitic but many of them are also free living.
o Many of them are microscopic or about 0.2 inches long, but the largest reach about 20 inches also.
o They can regenerate from even a tiny piece of their original cells, if cut in half it will regenerate itself to form 2 flatworms.
Ø Sea star
o These colorful-looking animals can regenerate too, their whole body can be formed if their central nerve ring is intact.
o They are really interesting as they eat directly through their stomach, swallowing their prey whole directly in their stomach from the mouth.
o They live a long life, up to 35 years, and release as many as 2.5 million eggs into the sea at a time.
o Sea stars’ arms are typically five in number but it can be more than that. Some are only 1 cm long while others reach up to 30cms.
Ø Alligators
o These huge reptiles are the largest mammals that can regenerate, as most reptiles can do so but these are the largest in the group.
o They are huge and regrowing their tails does deserve applause, they can be 15 feet long in size and weigh more than 1000 pounds but can regrow their tails up to 9 inches!
o Alligators are an animals which can regrow limbs, cartilage, connective tissues, and skin instead of skeletal muscles which is different from lizards which regrow their tails entirely the same, it’s not the same as the original but it works.
o It is fun to note that the ancestors of alligators aka dinosaurs also could generate limbs!
Ø Jellyfish
o We thought being immortality can only be seen in movies or shows but recent studies found that immortal jellyfish can revert to their asexual state and live forever by growing up again. But it is as small as a nail on your finger, still, it is a unique feat for something so small.
o These are known to exist for millions of years from prehistoric periods and are umbrella-looking and can be found in different colors
o They can produce their light!
o They live for three to five months and can grow as long as seven feet but they are usually in the range of 0.5 inches to 16 inches.
Ø Frogs
o Young frogs can regrow their limbs, tadpoles have this ability but they lose this as they grow up. What a loss for growing up!
o They are known to regrow their limbs when they are tadpoles and their limbs are growing out.
o Frogs are amphibians. They are among the most diverse animals in the world!
Even mammalian embryos can replace developing limb buds but this ability goes away as they are born. Leaving salamanders’ ability to regenerate throughout their lives.
Higher we go in evolution less is the ability to regenerate!
