Earth is the most beautiful creation of God. There are many religious people who live in this world, likewise God has gifted beautiful nature. In this beautiful and amazing nature there are many wonderful creatures, and some are beyond our thoughts. Most of the animals, and birds have history of many years. Among such animals is Muja.
Muja is an American alligator living in the Belgrade Zoo and the oldest known alligator in captivity. Having arrived at the zoo in 1937, Muja has lived through both the Axis and Allied bombings of Belgrade during World War II, as well as the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999.
Muja was recognised as the oldest known alligator in captivity by Guinness World Records. Muja is an American alligator. According to the Belgrade Zoo’s website, he arrived at the zoo on August 9, 1937.
Alligators typically grow between 3 inches and 8 inches per year after hatching, and are considered adults upon reaching a length of 1.8 metres. It takes around 12 years on an average for an alligator to become fully mature. As Muja was already fully grown in 1937, he may have been at least 10–12 years old when he arrived.
Muja survived the German bombing of Belgrade in April 1941, during the Axis invasion of Yugoslavia, in which the Belgrade Zoo was damaged. He also survived the Allied bombing of Belgrade in 1944. In 1999, Muja lived through the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, during which buildings located within several blocks of the Belgrade Zoo were destroyed.
The average lifespan of an American alligator is between 35 and 50 years. By some accounts, Muja became the oldest known alligator in captivity in 2007. Muja is the Belgrade Zoo’s last surviving animal from the 1930s and 1940s.
Muja spends the summers in a pond and winters in a special chamber, which was renovated in 2016 to resemble a cave. He is fed once a week and usually eats 5–6 kilograms of meat. His diet consists of skinned rats, rabbits, bird, horse meat and beef.
Muja’s longevity has attracted the attention of social media users and the alligator has become popular on social media platforms such as TikTok
In 2012, Muja’s right foot had to be amputated after he was diagnosed with gangrene. Muja remains popular among visitors to the zoo and has gained a following on social media platforms.