Buzz
In the United States, the typical life expectancy is just under 79 years. Compared to other animal species, humans are fairly robust, thanks to the medical advancements we’ve developed. But we're not the only ones aiming to surpass 80 or 90 years of life. Other creatures—whether birds, mammals, fish, or even microbes—manage to live far longer, with some species exceeding our life expectancy by a great margin.
1. Giant Tortoises
The Aldabra tortoise, native to a remote atoll north of Madagascar, has a remarkable lifespan that often extends beyond 100 years. In fact, the oldest specimen in captivity is believed to have passed away at the age of 250, though there are records suggesting it could have lived as long as 150. The exact lifespan of this species remains uncertain, as tortoises in captivity have been known to outlive the researchers studying them.
2. The Immortal Jellyfish
In 1883, scientists first discovered Turritopsis dohrnii, but it wasn't until over a century later that they realized it had the unique ability to potentially live forever. When stressed by factors like starvation or injury, this jellyfish reverts to its juvenile form. Its cells transform into other types, and it morphs into a cyst. This cyst then produces genetically identical baby jellyfish, known as polyps. This fascinating process of self-regeneration has made it a troublesome invasive species.
3. Ocean Quahog
These seemingly ordinary clams found in the North Atlantic
4. Tuatara
Step aside, coelacanth. The tuatara, a reptile native to New Zealand, is another example of a living fossil. Its closest relatives are long extinct, and it features a vestigial third eye on the top of its head. (While covered by skin, this 'eye' is still capable of detecting light and dark.) Tuataras grow slowly, reaching maturity only between the ages of 13 and 20. They have the remarkable ability to hold their breath for up to an hour and remain unaffected by the cold. Despite these extraordinary traits, one of the most astonishing facts about tuataras is their potential to live for over a century in the wild.
5. Parrots
Parrots bring us closer to the human lifespan. Macaws, for instance, can live for about 60 years in the wild. However, some have been known to surpass 100 years, with one famous example being Charlie, who was allegedly owned by Winston Churchill. Charlie, trained to insult Hitler and the Nazis, became a well-known figure at a British garden center. Like giant tortoises, establishing exact birth dates for centenarian parrots can be challenging, and the true story of Charlie’s origins has been questioned, leaving the details somewhat unclear.
6. Bowhead Whale
The bowhead whale ranks second in size only to the blue whale, but it is undoubtedly the oldest mammal. Scientists have confirmed the existence of at least three bowhead whales aged between 135 and 172 years, with one specimen reaching a remarkable 211 years. This was determined by examining their eye lenses and discovering ancient ivory and stone harpoon points embedded in some of the whales—these harpoons haven’t been in use since the 1880s. These findings have effectively doubled the known lifespan of the bowhead whale.
7. Koi
This ornamental variety of carp typically lives for around 50 years. However, with exceptional care and favorable genetics, some koi have been known to live well over a century. Hanako, a koi that passed away in 1977, was estimated to be 226 years old. Researchers determined her age by studying the microscopic growth rings on her scales.
8. Flamingo
While you’ll probably outlive most flamingos, some have a much longer lifespan. In captivity, flamingos typically live about 40 years, which is roughly 10 years longer than they do in the wild. However, Greater, a flamingo residing at the Adelaide Zoo in Australia, lived to the impressive age of 83. Despite not knowing its gender, Greater managed to survive both World War II and a late-life assault by younger flamingos. Unfortunately, the bird’s aging body eventually succumbed to natural complications.
9. Bacteria
Far beneath the ocean’s surface, you’ll encounter some of the most long-lived organisms on Earth. These viruses, bacteria, and various fungi have such sluggish metabolisms that scientists often hesitate to classify them as 'alive' in the typical sense of the word (the term 'zombie' has been used). Still, some of them have likely been around for millions of years, reproducing only once every 10,000 years or so.
All images courtesy of Thinkstock.
