Life on Mars? NASA’s Mars Rover Is Now Exploring the Planet’s Mysterious “Crocodile Region”

The Red Planet becomes a little less unknown with every metre NASA’s Perseverance rover rolls forward – and now the rover has entered a new and particularly promising area on Mars. This region has been given the exotically sounding name The Crocodile – and it’s not (just) because it sounds cool. In fact, it’s the Norwegian word for “crocodile”. But why that name? Most likely because the shape of the area, seen from above, resembles a creeping reptile.

But it’s not animal-shaped outlines that are drawing NASA’s attention. It’s what might be hidden beneath the surface.

The Oldest Rocks on Mars?

The Crocodile region lies on the edge of the Jezero Crater – the site where Perseverance landed in 2021 and has been diligently working ever since. The new area spans around 73 acres and is believed to contain some of the oldest geological formations on Mars. That is to say: rocks that may predate the crater itself. And that matters.

The older the rocks, the greater the chance they originate from a time when Mars may still have had liquid water on its surface – and, consequently, could have had the right conditions for life. Think: ancient river deltas, mineral deposits, and clay – exactly the kinds of things you’re hoping to find if you dream of uncovering traces of microscopic life.

NASA has already found signs of clay in the area, which typically only forms in the presence of water. That makes the Crocodile a geologically tempting place to drill deeper.

New Discoveries Demand New Strategies

So far, Perseverance has collected 31 sealed samples in small metal tubes. But only seven empty ones remain. That’s why the mission team is now experimenting with a new approach: instead of sealing every sample immediately, the rover now collects more selectively – and can discard a sample if something more exciting turns up. It’s a bit like swiping left on Tinder – except it’s Mars rocks and three billion years of history.

Ken Farley, one of the mission’s lead scientists, puts it this way: “If we find a biosignature here, it will likely come from a completely different and much older era in Mars’ development than what we found last year in the Cheyava Falls region.” In other words: if traces of life are found, it might not just be a new discovery – but a window into Mars’ oldest and most mysterious past.

When Will We Get Answers?

Collecting samples is one thing. Getting them home is another matter entirely. Perseverance can’t make the journey back to Earth on its own. That will require a future mission – likely a joint effort between NASA and ESA – to retrieve the samples and return them to laboratories on Earth.

That’s why every sample, every rock, every tiny dust grain selected is a strategic decision. Katie Stack Morgan from NASA puts it like this: “Every single sample we have on board has its own unique and exciting story to tell.” And that certainly applies to the Crocodile.

Are We Closer to Answers?

Perhaps. It depends on what lies hidden in the dark, dusty Martian clay. But one thing is certain: Perseverance is still delivering – and Mars still holds plenty of secrets.

Our team may have used AI to assist in the creation of this content, which has been reviewed by our editors.