Longest animal gestation
Elephants have the longest gestation period of all mammals. These gentle giants’ pregnancies last for more than a year and a half. The average gestation period of an elephant is about 640 to 660 days, roughly 95 weeks or 22 months.
But this is far surpassed by the eel-like frilled shark (Chlamydoselachus anguineus) found off the coasts of South Africa and Chile, which Japanese scientists have shown to have a gestation period that may be as long as 42 months. This could be due to the intense cold of its deep-sea habitat slowing its metabolic processes to a crawl. Other deep-dwelling animals may have similarly extended gestation periods.
Whilst I’d planned to travel as a young man at 55, it wasn’t until the summer of 2019, aged 53, after receiving the letters from my private pension company about the pension pots I’d forgotten about, I fell pregnant myself, an immaculate conception that has culminated in being about to take possession of the new van following my retirement in April, on my 55th birthday. This gestation has been just over 24 months! No where near the Chlamydoselachus anguineus, but long enough.
However there has been a delay and whilst I had hoped this post would be about the new arrival, alas it’s not. But we have gone into labour and the end is in sight!
The delay is the fabrication and fitting of the bespoke roof rack which is complex and challenging. It is unique, as I wanted to have a full roof rack deck with no cut outs for the 3 roof vents or the solar panel at the rear.
This required the designers to raise the floor height above the level of the roof vents and drop the solar panel into a “cradle” below the floor level. But hopefully, not too low to minimise the effect on it’s efficiency. Whilst fabricating lockable panels to be placed over the vents and solar panel so the entire floor was uninterrupted and secure. In addition, the double mounting for the kayaks in part sits below the floor level so the floor in this area needs to be cut out to allow it to sit flush to be secure.
A full floor will allow for the kayaks to be safely placed on the roof with the aid another unique addition a roll bar at the rear perimeter of the rack. There will also be enough space for the area to be utilised as a viewing deck with table and chairs if needed.
So we are there….almost but not quite, keep an eye on your e-mails, facebook and instagram as delivery is imminent when the next chapter in the journey begins!
