According to the bible story, Noah built the ark following God's instructions. He used gopher wood and made it in a specific size with different compartments.
It really depends on various factors. Construction time can vary based on the size, complexity, and available resources. But usually, such a project could take several years.
The story doesn't provide a very clear account of how Noah gathered the animals. However, considering the nature of the story as a religious narrative, we can suppose that God's power was at work. God had chosen Noah for this task, and so it's possible that God sent some sort of divine signal or influence to the animals. This made them come to Noah and enter the ark. Also, Noah might have had some kind of natural understanding or connection with the animals, given his righteousness in God's eyes, which could have also played a role in getting the animals to the ark.
The story of Noah's Ark is ancient. It's been passed down through generations, and estimating exactly when it was written is challenging. It's part of a rich oral and written tradition that goes back many centuries.
There was a new ecological balance. The animals that came out of the ark had to repopulate and re - establish their habitats. This led to a different distribution of species compared to before the flood. For example, some areas that were previously populated by certain animals might now be empty and new areas could be colonized by different ones as they spread out.
In the Noah's Ark story, the world was filled with sin and corruption. God, being a just God, wanted to start anew. But He needed someone who was pure in heart and obedient. Noah was that person. He was known for his righteousness. He had faith in God and was likely the only one who still held onto God's teachings at that time. So, God chose Noah to carry out the task of building the ark and saving life on earth from the impending flood.