Living to the age of 122, Jeanne Louise Calment witnessed incredible milestones in human history, from the opening of the Eiffel Tower to the emergence of the internet. Its longevity, spanning more than a century, is a testament to human endurance and longevity.
But 122 years is just a starting point in the animal kingdom. longest living animal has existed for hundreds of years. Yes, you read that right.
From our planet’s deepest oceans to ancient lands, diverse habitats are populated by creatures whose life cycles extend far beyond what we expect from human life.
The World’s Longest Living Mammal: Bowhead Whale
bowhead whale (balaena mysticetusIt is a species of whale belonging to the whale family, also known as the Arctic whale. Balaenidae. Native to Arctic and sub-Arctic waters, this species is characterized by its massive bow-shaped head, which accounts for approximately one-third of its body length.
It is noteworthy that this whale species is among the longest-lived mammals in the world; some individuals are believed to be over 200 years old. So how do we determine their exact age?
Scars.
The longevity of the bowhead whale has been proven by the discovery of antique harpoon tips embedded in the blubber of living individuals, some dating back to the 1800s. Their remarkable longevity is attributed to their slow growth rate and the cold Arctic waters in which they live; this may contribute to reduced metabolic rates and slowing of cellular aging.
Despite their long lifespan and impressive size—up to 60 feet (18 meters) long and weighing up to 100 tons (90 metric tons)—bowheads have faced significant threats from commercial whaling in the past.
Today, they are protected under various protection laws. However, they remain listed as “least concern” by the IUCN due to ongoing concerns about climate change and Arctic ice adversely affecting natural habitats.
Oldest Living Land Animal: Seychelles Giant Tortoise
The oldest known land animal is the Seychelles giant tortoise “Jonathan”.Aldabrachelys gigantea hololissa), is believed to have been born around 1832. This makes him over 190 years old.
The geriatric giant tortoise lives on the island of Saint Helena, a British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic Ocean, where it has become a famous figure and somewhat of a local icon thanks to its longevity and Guinness World Record status.
Jonathan was brought to Saint Helena from the Seychelles in 1882 and has since lived on the grounds of Plantation House, the official residence of the Governor of Saint Helena. Its longevity is attributed to the care it receives, the island’s mild climate, and the naturally long lifespan of the species.
Despite his age, Jonathan retained most of his health; but like many older creatures, it faced some age-related challenges, such as loss of vision and a diminished sense of smell. However, his keepers ensure he maintains a nutritious diet and continues to enjoy a relatively active lifestyle for a turtle his age.
Jonathan’s remarkable age has made him a subject of interest among scientists and the general public, offering valuable information about the care and longevity of giant tortoises.
Longest Living Fish: Greenland Shark
Greenland shark (somniosus microcephaly) currently holds the Guinness World Records title for the longest lifespan of a vertebrate known to science. Found mainly in the cold, deep waters of the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, this extraordinary species has an estimated lifespan of over 250 years, with some individuals likely to live up to 500 years.
Studies examining the eye lens nuclei of Greenland sharks have provided insights into their extraordinary longevity. These analyzes included radiocarbon dating of eye tissue, which revealed that these sharks grew incredibly slowly and only reached sexual maturity at around 150 years of age.
The shark’s extreme longevity is thought to be due to its slow metabolism and the cold environment they live in, which may contribute to a slower aging process compared to other species.
The lifespan of Greenland sharks exceeds that of other long-lived vertebrates such as bowhead whales and some species of turtles.
Longest Living Animal on Record: Ocean Quahog Clam
The longest-living animal ever recorded is a clam known as the ocean quahog (arctic island). An individual nicknamed “Ming” holds the Guinness World Record for the oldest non-colonial animal ever discovered.
Ming was found in waters off the coast of Iceland in 2006, and through carbon dating of its shell, scientists determined that it was approximately 507 years old at the time of its discovery. This means he was born around 1499, Ming.
The age of ocean quahogs is determined by counting the growth rings on their bark, just as growth rings are counted to determine the age of a tree. Tragically, Ming’s life was accidentally cut short by scientists trying to determine his age.
Unaware of his extraordinary longevity, they opened his shell for routine analysis, a standard procedure in their research, which sadly resulted in Ming’s death.
The scallop was named “Ming” in reference to the Ming Dynasty that was in power when it was born. This event underlined the delicate balance between scientific research and the preservation of ancient life forms.
Oldest Living Wild Bird: Laysan Albatross
Wisdom, a Laysan albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis), is the oldest known wild bird identified by researchers. Scientists first taped it in 1956 at Midway Atoll in the North Pacific Ocean.
Because she was already incubating eggs at that time, scientists estimated she was at least five years old; this is the earliest age at which Laysan albatrosses typically begin breeding. This makes Wisdom over 70 years old, and remarkably, she continues to return to Midway Atoll almost every year to raise and successfully hatch chicks.
These birds are known for their impressive longevity, but Wisdom exceeded the typical life expectancy for his species. Their continued fecundity and ability to raise chicks at such an advanced age offers valuable insights into the biology and ecology of seabirds, challenging previous understandings of bird aging and reproductive potential.
Wisdom’s remarkable life is closely monitored by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, which has made him an icon of conservation and wildlife research. In particular, resilience in the face of environmental change and human impacts on oceans and seabird populations provides hope and inspiration for conservation efforts worldwide.
Longest Living Animal: Immortal Jellyfish
This sea creature takes the crown as Earth’s longest-living creature, as it can potentially live forever. scientifically known Turritopsis dohrniiImmortal jellyfish are a small marine species known for their ability to revert to the juvenile polyp stage after reaching maturity, potentially allowing them to bypass death and achieve a form of biological immortality.
The unique ability to survive often occurs when the creature faces stressors such as injury or lack of food. The process allows her to reset her life cycle and produce genetically identical offspring. This feature led to its nickname and has fascinated scientists since its discovery in the 1990s.
This efficient cell recycling mechanism is an important focus in stem cell research and offers potential ways to replace cells damaged by disease.
4 Marine Animals That Live Longer
We’ve discovered some of the ocean’s long-lived inhabitants, such as the greenland shark, bowhead whale, and ocean quahog, but these aren’t the only long-lived marine wonders.
1. Antarctic Sponges
The Antarctic glass sponge is a deep-sea organism that forms complex, glass-like structures with a skeleton made of silica.
Living in the freezing depths of the ocean floor around Antarctica, these glass sponges are believed to be the oldest living marine organisms, and estimates suggest they may be over 10,000 years old.
2. Red Sea Urchin (Strongylocentrotus franciscanus)
Found on the Pacific Ocean coast of North America, the red sea urchin is a long-lived marine species known for its spiny exterior and ability to live for more than 200 years. The lifespan of chestnuts is evaluated by analyzing their growth rings, similar to those on tree trunks.
3. Deep Sea Tube Worms (Riftia pachyptila and Others)
Deep-sea tube worms are unique organisms that develop near hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor, have no digestive system and rely on symbiotic bacteria for nutrition.
These worms can have a lifespan of more than 250 years; This is proof of their resilience against the harsh conditions of the deep ocean.
4. Orange Rough (Hoplostethus atlanticus)
This deep-sea fish is known to live for more than 200 years. But its slow growth and late maturation make it particularly vulnerable to overfishing and raise significant conservation concerns. This species is considered “Vulnerable” by the IUCN.
4 Land Animals That Live Longer
We’ve traversed the seas, so let’s look at the world’s longest-lived animals that roam the land, like our old friend Jonathan, the Seychelles giant tortoise.
1. Galapagos Tortoises
These turtles are famous for their long lifespan; many individuals live to be over 100 years old, and some are reported to be over 150 years old. Their slow metabolism and island lifestyle are critical factors in their longevity.
2.Tuatara
This reptile, native to New Zealand, stands out for its potential to live for more than 100 years, while some unsubstantiated claims of tuataras claim up to 200 years.
Reptiles’ unique biological characteristics, including the third “parietal” eye on the forehead and certain physiological and metabolic characteristics, contribute to their longevity.
3. Asian Elephants
Asian elephants can live 60 to 70 years in the wild, but in captivity they can exceed 80 years under human care. Their size and social structure play a role in their longevity, along with protecting humans from predators and providing medical care.
4. Macaws and Parrots
Known for their vibrant colors and intelligence, some species of parrots and parrots, such as the hyacinth macaw and gray parrot, can live for more than 50 years in the wild and up to 80 years in captivity; This makes them among the longest-lived bird species.
This article has been updated with AI technology, then fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.
Original article: What is the Longest Living Animal? From Turtles to Whales
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