Time moves differently for every creature on Earth, but for some animals, it stands still. These animals stand the test of time, quite literally! Humans should really reconsider themselves as superior when it comes to longevity. We know that some species of elephants, tortoises and sharks live more than 100 years. However, 10,000 years? 15,000 years? That sounds mythical. Yes, some animals live that long- a blink of an eye for humans. Did you know some can almost live forever? Mother nature never fails to surprise us.
Longevity in animals depends on where they inhabit, biological and evolutionary factors. For instance, sea creatures live the longest because conditions are stable and consistent in water, according to Live Science. These longest-living have the remarkable quality of regenerating their cells infinitely, thus reversing the ageing process.
Let’s look at some of the longest-living animals on Earth:
1. Hydra
Hydra are a group of inch-long invertebrates found in freshwater that slightly resemble jellyfish. The secret to a never ending life is they are made up of stem cells, as per Live Science. These cells constantly renew themselves, making these creatures immortal. They can replace damaged parts of itself. However, they can still die because of predators or sickness.
2. Turritopsis Dohrnii
Also known as ‘immortal jellyfish’, Turritopsis Dohrnii are that can potentially live forever. According to National Museum of Natural History, Turritopsis dohrnii begin life as larvae before transforming into polyps. These polyps subsequently generate free-swimming medusas, also known as jellyfish. Adult T. dohrnii are unique in that they can transform back to polyps if they experience physical harm or are lacking food. Therefore, this jellyfish can reverse their life cycle multiple times and never die of old age.
3. Glass Sponges
Glass Sponges are one of the longest living animal species. These are deep-sea creatures that can live for over 10,000-15,000 years. They are very similar to corals. Researchers said, a glass sponge native to Antarctica’s bay, Ross Sea is the oldest living animal on Earth, according to the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).
4. Black Corals
Found mostly in deep sea, corals look like vibrant rocks and plants formed from the exoskeletons of invertebrate creatures known as polyps. These polyps relocate and replace themselves which leads to the expansion of the coral exoskeleton structure, as per Live Science.
The longest living among corals are deep water black corals. They are most found in Hawaii and have been radiocarbon dated to be 4,265 years old, as per Live Science.
5. Ocean Quahog clams
Native to North Atlantic Ocean, ocean quahog clams can live upto over 500 years. These clams are usually commercially harvested for human consumption. According to BBC, a clam found off the coast of Iceland in 2006 was found to be 507 years old claimed by scientists at Bangor University.
