Jeanne Louise Calment, who lived to be 122 years old, witnessed incredible milestones in human history, from the unveiling of the Eiffel Tower to the advent of the Internet. Her long life, spanning well over a century, is a testament to human resilience and longevity.
But 122 years is just a starting point in the animal kingdom, where that of the world is longest living animal has been around for hundreds of years. Yes, you read that correctly.
Our planet’s diverse habitats, from the deepest oceans to the ancient lands, are home to creatures whose life cycles go far beyond what we are used to in human life.
The longest living mammal in the world: the Greenland whale
The Greenland Whale (Balaena mysticalus), also known as the Arctic whale, is a species of baleen whale belonging to the family Balaenidae. This species is native to arctic and subarctic waters and is characterized by its enormous arc-shaped head, which covers about a third of its body length.
Notably, this whale species is among the longest-lived mammals on Earth, with some individuals believed to be over 200 years old. But how do we determine their exact age?
Their scars.
The longevity of the bowhead whale has been confirmed by the discovery of ancient harpoon points embedded in the blubber of living individuals, some dating back to the 19th century. Their remarkable longevity is attributed to their slow growth rate and the cold Arctic waters they live in, which may contribute to reduced metabolism and slower cell aging.
Despite their long lifespan and impressive size, measuring up to 60 feet (18 meters) in length and weighing as much as 100 tons (90 metric tons), bowhead whales have historically faced significant threats from commercial whaling.
Today they are protected under various conservation statutes. However, they remain listed as ‘least concern’ by the IUCN, with continued concerns about climate change and declining Arctic ice affecting their natural habitat.
Oldest living land animal: Seychelles giant tortoise
The oldest known land animal is ‘Jonathan’, a giant tortoise from the Seychelles (Aldabrachelys gigantea hololissa), probably 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 its longevity and Guinness World Record status have made it a celebrated figure and somewhat of a local icon.
Jonathan was brought to St Helena from the Seychelles in 1882 and has since lived in the grounds of Plantation House, the official residence of the Governor of St 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 has retained much of his health, although, like many older beings, he has faced a number of age-related challenges, including vision loss and a reduced sense of smell. However, his keepers ensure that he eats a nutritious diet and continues to enjoy a relatively active lifestyle for a tortoise his age.
Jonathan’s remarkable age has made him a subject of interest among scientists and the general public, providing valuable insights into the care and longevity of giant tortoises.
Longest-lived fish: the Greenland shark
The Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus) currently holds the Guinness World Records title for the longest lifespan of any vertebrate known to science. Found primarily in the cold, deep waters of the North Atlantic and Arctic Ocean, this remarkable species has an estimated lifespan of more than 250 years, with some individuals possibly living as long as 500 years.
Studies examining the eye lens nuclei of Greenland sharks have provided insight into their extraordinary longevity. These analyzes include radiocarbon dating of the eye tissue, which has shown that these sharks grow incredibly slowly and do not reach sexual maturity until they are about 150 years old.
The shark’s extreme longevity is believed to be related to their 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 certain species of turtles.
Longest Living Animal Ever Recorded: Ocean Quahog Clam
The longest-lived animal ever recorded is a bivalve known as the ocean clam (Arctica islandica). One individual, nicknamed ‘Ming’, holds the Guinness World Record for the oldest non-colonial animal ever discovered.
Ming was found in 2006 in the waters off the coast of Iceland, and through carbon dating of its shell, scientists determined that it was approximately 507 years old when discovered. This means that Ming was born around the year 1499.
The age of ocean clams is determined by counting the annual rings on their shells, much like counting the annual rings of a tree to determine its age. Tragically, Ming’s life was inadvertently cut short by scientists trying to determine her age.
Unaware of her exceptional longevity, they opened her casing for routine analysis – a standard procedure in their research – which unfortunately resulted in Ming’s death.
The mussel was named “Ming”, referring to the Ming dynasty, which was in power when it was born. This incident underscored 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), holds the title of the oldest known wild bird, as identified by researchers. Scientists first banded her in 1956 at Midway Atoll, located in the northern Pacific Ocean.
Because she was already hatching eggs at the time, scientists estimate she was at least five years old, which 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 breed and successfully hatch chicks.
These birds are known for their impressive lifespans, but Wisdom has exceeded the typical lifespan expected for her species. Her continued fecundity and ability to raise chicks to such an old age have provided valuable insights into the biology and ecology of seabirds, challenging previous understandings of bird aging and reproductive potential.
Wisdom’s extraordinary life is closely monitored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, making her an icon in the field of conservation and wildlife research. Its resilience, especially in the face of environmental change and human impact on the oceans and seabird populations, provides hope and inspiration for conservation efforts worldwide.
Longest-lived animal: Immortal jellyfish
This sea creature takes the cake as the longest-lived creature on Earth because it has the potential to live forever. Scientifically known as Turritopsis dohrniithe immortal jellyfish is a small marine species known for its ability to revert to the juvenile polyp stage after reaching adulthood, potentially allowing it to evade death and achieve a form of biological immortality.
Its unique survival abilities are typically deployed when the creature faces stressors such as injuries or lack of food. The process allows it to reset its life cycle and produce genetically identical offspring. This property has led to its nickname and has fascinated scientists since its discovery in the 1990s.
This efficient cell recycling mechanism is a critical focus in stem cell research and offers potential routes for replacing cells damaged by disease.
4 more long-lived sea creatures
We’ve examined some of the ocean’s long-lived inhabitants, like the Greenland shark, bowhead whale, and quahog, but they’re not the only long-lived marine wonders.
1. Antarctic sponges
The Antarctic glass sponge is a deep-sea organism with a skeleton made of silica, which forms intricate, glass-like structures.
Found in the icy depths of the ocean floor around Antarctica, these glass sponges are believed to be the oldest living marine organisms, with estimates suggesting they could be more than 10,000 years old.
2. Red sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus franciscanus)
The red sea urchin, found along the Pacific coast of North America, is a long-lived marine species known for its spiny exterior and ability to live more than 200 years. Hedgehog lifespan is assessed by analyzing growth rings similar to those found in tree trunks.
3. Deep-sea tubeworms (Riftia pachyptila and others)
Deep-sea tubeworms are unique organisms that thrive near hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor, lacking a digestive system and relying on symbiotic bacteria for nutrition.
These worms can have a lifespan of more than 250 years, a testament to their resilience in the extreme conditions of the deep ocean.
4. Orange rough (Hoplostethus atlanticus)
This deep sea fish is known to live for over 200 years. However, its slow growth and late maturity make it particularly vulnerable to overfishing, which poses significant conservation problems. This species is considered “vulnerable” by the IUCN.
4 more long-lived land animals
We’ve covered the sea, so let’s take a look at the world’s longest-lived animals that roam the land, like our old friend Jonathan, the Seychelles giant tortoise.
1. Galápagos tortoises
These turtles are known for their long lifespans, with many individuals living over 100 years and some reportedly living over 150 years. Their slow metabolism and island lifestyle are critical factors in their longer lifespans.
2. Tuatara
This reptile, native to New Zealand, is notable for its potential to live more than 100 years, with some unverified claims that tuataras can live as long as 200 years.
The reptile’s unique biological characteristics, including a third ‘parietal’ eye on its forehead and specific physiological and metabolic traits, contribute to its longevity.
3. Asian elephants
In the wild, Asian elephants can live 60 to 70 years, but under human care in captivity they can exceed 80 years. Their size and social structure – along with human protection from predators and provision of medical care – play a role in their longevity.
4. Macaws and parrots
Known for their vibrant colors and intelligence, some species of macaws and parrots, such as the hyacinth macaw and gray parrots, can live more than 50 years in the wild and up to 80 years in captivity, making them among the longest-lived bird species.
This article was updated using AI technology, then fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.
Original article: What is the longest-lived animal? From turtles to whales
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