by Jeanne Louise Calment, who lived to the ripe old age of 122, saw incredible milestones in human history, from the unveiling of the Eiffel Tower to the advent of the internet. Her long life, which lasted more than a century, is a testament to human resilience and longevity.
But 122 years is only a starting point in the animal kingdom, in the case of the world longest living animal been there for hundreds of years. Yes, you read that right.
Within the various habitats of our planet, from the deepest oceans to the ancient lands, live creatures whose lifespans extend far beyond what was expected in human life.
The Longest Living Mammal in the World: The Bowhead Whale
The bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus), also known as the Arctic whale, is a species of baleen whale belonging to the family Balaenidae. Native to Arctic and sub-Arctic waters, this species is characterized by its huge bow-shaped head, which is about one third of its body length.
In particular, this species of whale is among the longest-lived mammals in the world, with some individuals believed to be over 200 years old. But how do we determine their exact age?
His scars.
The life cycle of bowhead whales is rooted in the discovery of ancient harpoon points embedded in the blubber of living individuals, some dating back to the 1800s. Their remarkable longevity has been attributed to their slow growth rate and the cold Arctic waters they inhabit, which may contribute to reduced metabolic rates and slower cellular aging.
Despite their longevity and impressive size, reaching up to 60 feet (18 meters) in length and weighing up to 100 tons (90 metric tons), bowheads have faced significant threats from commercial whaling in the past approx.
Today, they are protected under various conservation statutes. However, they are listed as “least concern” by the IUCN, with ongoing concerns about climate change and declining Arctic ice affecting their natural habitat.
Oldest Living Land Animal: The Seychelles Giant Tortoise
The oldest known land animal is “Jonathan,” the Seychelles giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea hololissa), believed to have been born around 1832. That makes him over 190 years old.
The giant geriatric turtle lives on the island of Saint Helena, a British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic Ocean, where it is famous and a local icon for its longevity and Guinness World Record status.
Ionatán was brought to Saint Helena from the Seychelles in 1882 and has lived on the grounds of Plantation House, the official residence of the Governor of Saint Helena, ever since. Its longevity is attributed to the care it receives, the island’s mild climate, and the long natural lifespan of the species.
Despite his age, Jonathan has retained much of his health, although, like many elderly creatures, he faces some age-related challenges, including vision loss and a diminished sense of smell. However, his caretakers ensure that he maintains a nutritious diet and continues to enjoy a fairly active lifestyle for a turtle of his age.
Jonathan’s remarkable age is of interest to scientists and the general public alike, providing valuable insights into the care and longevity of giant tortoises.
Longest living fish: Greenland shark
Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus) currently holds the Guinness World Records title for the longest vertebrate lifespan known to science. This amazing species, found mainly in the cold, deep waters of the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, has an estimated lifespan of over 250 years, and some individuals may live up to 500 years.
Studies examining the eye lens nuclei of Greenland sharks have provided insights into their extraordinary longevity. These analyzes involve radiocarbon dating of the eye tissue, which has shown that these sharks grow extremely slowly and only reach sexual maturity at around 150 years of age.
The shark’s extreme longevity is thought to be related to its slow metabolism and the cold environment in which they live, which may contribute to a slower aging process compared to other species.
The longevity of Greenland sharks exceeds that of other long-lived vertebrates, such as bowhead whales and certain turtle species.
Longest living animal on record: Ocean Quahog Clam
The longest living animal ever is a clam known as the sea cuckoo (Arctic Island). One individual, known as “Ming,” holds the Guinness World Record for the oldest non-colonial animal ever discovered.
Ming was found in the waters off the coast of Iceland in 2006, and by carbon dating the shell, scientists determined that he was around 507 years old when he was found. This means Ming was born around 1499.
The age of sea urchins is determined by counting the growth rings on their shells, similar to counting the growth 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 its exceptional longevity, they opened its shell for regular analysis – a standard procedure in their research – which unfortunately led to Ming’s demise.
The clam was named “Ming” in reference to the Ming Dynasty, which was in power when she was born. This incident highlighted the delicate balance between scientific inquiry and the preservation of ancient life forms.
Oldest Living Wild Bird: Laysan Albatross
Wisdom, a Laysan albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis), it holds the title of the oldest known wild bird, as identified by researchers. It was first established by scientists in 1956 at Midway Atoll, located in the North Pacific Ocean.
Because she was already incubating eggs at that time, scientists estimated that she was at least five years old, which is the earliest age at which Laysan albatross usually starts breeding. That makes Wisdom over 70 years old, and amazingly she continues to return to Midway Atoll to successfully breed and hatch cherries almost every year.
These birds are known for their amazing longevity, but Eagna has exceeded the typical lifespan for its species. Her continued fecundity and ability to raise chicks at such an advanced age provided valuable insights into the biology and ecology of seabirds, challenging previous understandings of avian aging and reproductive capacity.
Wisdom’s extraordinary life has been closely monitored by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, making her an icon of conservation and wildlife research. Its resilience, especially in the face of environmental changes and human impacts on the oceans and seabird populations, gives hope and inspiration to conservation efforts around the world.
Longest Living Animal: Immortal Seal Smuggler
This sea creature takes the crown as the longest living creature on Earth, because it could live forever. Scientifically known Turritosis dohrniithe immortal jellyfish is a small marine species known for its ability to return to its juvenile polyp stage after reaching maturity, which may allow it to avoid death and achieve a form of biological immortality.
Its unique survival ability is usually deployed when the creature is under stress such as injury or lack of food. The process enables it to reset its life cycle and produce genetically identical offspring. This trait has led to a nickname and interesting scientists since its discovery in the 1990s.
This efficient cell recycling mechanism is a critical focus of stem cell research, offering potential ways to replace cells damaged by disease.
4 More Living Sea Animals
We’ve explored some of the ocean’s long-lived inhabitants, such as the Greenland shark, the bowhead whale and the humpback whale, 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 complex glass-like structures.
Living in the frigid depths of the seabed around Antarctica, these glass sponges are believed to be the oldest known marine organisms, with estimates suggesting they could be over 10,000 years old.
2. Red Sea Crab (Strongylocentrotus franciscanus)
Found along the Pacific coast of North America, the red whale is a long-lived marine species known for its spiny exterior and ability to live for more than 200 years. The longevity of the sapling is assessed by analyzing growth rings similar to those 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, lack a digestive system and rely on symbiotic bacteria for nutrition.
Lifespans of these worms can exceed 250 years, demonstrating their resilience in the extreme conditions of the deep ocean.
4. Orange Roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus)
This deep sea fish has been known to live for over 200 years. However, due to its slow growth and late maturity, it is very vulnerable to overfishing, which poses a significant conservation concern. The IUCN considers this species “Vulnerable”.
4 More Longevity Land Animals
We’ve covered the sea, so let’s look at the world’s longest land-dwelling animals, like our old friend Jonathan, the Seychelles giant tortoise.
1. Galápagos tortoise
These turtles are known for their long lifespans, with many individuals living over 100 years and some reported to be over 150 years old. Their slow metabolism and island lifestyle are key factors in their long lifespan.
2. Tuatara
This reptile, native to New Zealand, stands out for its ability to live more than 100 years, with some unverified claims of tuataras extending up to 200 years.
The reptile’s unique biological characteristics, including a third “parietal” eye on its forehead and specific physiological and metabolic characteristics, contribute to its longevity.
3. Asian elephants
In the wild, Asian elephants can live 60 to 70 years, but under the care of humans in captivity, they can exceed 80 years. Their size and social structure – along with protecting humans from predators and providing medical care – play a role in their longevity.
4. Macaws and Parrots
Known for their vivid 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 they are among the longest-lived bird species.
This article was updated in conjunction with AI technology, and fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.
Original article: What is the longest living animal? From Turtles to Whales
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