The animal kingdom on Earth contains many species that possess extremely impressive lifespans, even exceeding the average lifespan of humans. While humans can only live up to the "absolute limit" of 150 years, some animals are even able to halt or completely reverse the aging process, and achieve amazing longevity.
1. Bowhead whale
The bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) is believed to be the longest-living mammal on Earth. Although their exact lifespan cannot be confirmed, evidence found in some individuals suggests that the animals can live for more than 200 years, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). NOAA).
2. Cá đá Rougheye
Rougheye fighting fish (Sebastes aleutianus) is one of the longest living fish species and has a maximum lifespan of about 205 years. These pink fish mainly live in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, and are at risk of being threatened by habitat loss.
3. Freshwater mussels
The freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) is an aquatic amphibian mollusk that mainly lives in rivers and streams. They have a long lifespan thanks to their low metabolism. The oldest known freshwater mussel is 280 years old, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
4. Greenland Shark
The Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus) lives deep on the seafloor of the Arctic and North Atlantic Oceans. They are the longest-lived vertebrates on Earth, reaching a maximum lifespan of 272 years, according to a 2016 scientific study. However, there is also ample evidence that they can. live up to 392 years, or even 512 years.
5. Pipe worms
Tubeworms (Escarpia laminata) are invertebrates with an amazing lifespan in the cold, stable environment of the deep sea. According to a 2017 study, this species can live up to 200 years, and even 300 years.
6. Ocean Clam
Ocean clams (Arctica islandica) living in the North Atlantic can live longer than freshwater mussels. In 2006, a clam was found off the coast of Iceland that is believed to have lived up to 507 years, according to the National Museum of Wales.
7. Black Coral
Corals exist as small, anemone-like polyps. These polyps continuously multiply, and replace themselves by creating a genetically identical copy. This allows them to live for thousands of years, or even longer.
In 2009, a scientific report showed that black coral samples off the coast of Hawaii are up to 4,265 years old.
8. Sponge
Sponges are phylum animals, and have a simple structure, excluding the nervous, digestive and circulatory systems. Instead, these individuals just maintain a constant flow through the body to get food, oxygen as well as eliminate waste. In 2012, a glass sponge belonging to the family Monorhaphis chuni was found to be about 11,000 years old.
9. Immortal Jellyfish
Immortal jellyfish (Turritopsis dohrnii) have a special body, which helps them "immortal life" in all living conditions. However, due to their very small size, this jellyfish easily becomes food for other animals, thereby preventing them from achieving immortality.
10. Hydra
Hydra is a group of small, mollusk invertebrates that look a bit like jellyfish. These invertebrates are largely made up of stem cells, and continuously regenerate through cloning. Like Turritopsis dohrnii, they also have the ability to grow indefinitely, thanks to the elimination of the aging mechanism.
