The world is amazing and full of surprises. Even though there are lots of things going on around us, we cannot recognize them most of the time. We are sure that, at least once in your lifetime, you have thought about the lifespans of both human beings and animals. The world’s average lifespan for men is 69.8 years, while that for women is 74.9 years. But what about animals? We are sure that you have heard about some animals that have hundreds of years to live. We are also curious about the animals, and we did a tiny bit of research about the longest-living animals. Let’s check together.
Ocean Quahog Clams
Ocean quahog clams are one of the longest-living animals. These animals show slower growth and maturity. Therefore, this slow lifestyle causes a longer lifespan, like 507 years. This rate is for the one that was collected alive in 2006. It could live longer if people did not intervene.
Black Corals
When you first see corals, you may think these are not animals. But black corals are colonial animals, which are one of the longest-living animals. Before March 2009, the world thought black corals could live up to 70 years. However, in March 2009, black corals that were 4,265 years old were found near Hawaii’s coast.
Glass Sponge
Sponges are one of the colonial animals. Like corals, sponges can live thousands of years, which makes them one of the longest-living animals. These longest-living species of sponges can live in the deep ocean and have a glass-like skeleton.
Immortal Jellyfish
Immortal jellyfish, or Turritopsis dohrnii, is literally immortal. The jellyfish start life as larvae. And later, they establish themselves on the sea floor and transform into polyps. T. dohrnii is a special kind of jellyfish. Because in cases of danger or hunger, they transform themselves into black polyps. After these exceptional cases, they turn themselves back into jellyfish. As these animals are potentially immortal, they are one of the longest-living animals.
Hydra
Hydra is also one of the longest-living animals. In fact, Hydra is also potentially immortal. These animals have stem cells, which help them regenerate. They die under natural conditions like predator threats or diseases.
