Natalia Mohammed

Many of us might have known that small reptiles such as lizards and geckos have a remarkable ability to regrow their tails. However, a new study states that those are not the only animals in the reptile family that have that ability. Researchers were shocked to discover that juvenile alligators are also capable of regrowing their tails. Not only alligators can regrow their tails, but they are also able to regrow up to 9 inches, or up to almost a quarter of their total body length according to Scientific Reports.

The study found that alligators’ regrown tails have a central cartilage skeleton without a single bone. This ability could potentially be a lifesaving skill that these reptiles could use. Although the regrown tails have no muscles they are still very essential for these massive predators. The team of researchers also added that this ability could also be very useful in developing regenerative therapies in the human race. In other words, many humans that are incapable of regenerating have the same cells that are being used to regenerate in these animals. The main question here is, will this mean that we could use this to our advantage to help people who are either burn victims or who lost limbs and need skin regeneration?

Researchers stated that this could be something that could happen, but it could take up to as long as the end of the century.