The most long-living animals on our planet have an age that is far from one century. Not a single long-lived person can boast of such records. Scientists are still struggling with the question of what is the secret of the longevity of these creatures, but so far they can not find the answer. Perhaps humanity is not far from a great discovery that reveals the secret of eternal youth that some individuals possess.
10. European Proteus
European Proteus - One of the longest-living animals on Earth, which can reach a hundred years of age. The habitat of this unusual creature, which is also referred to as a human fish due to body color, are ponds in caves. The European Proteus has small dimensions that do not exceed 13 centimeters. On the body there are two pairs of legs that have fingers. The uniqueness of this animal lies not only in its longevity, unusual appearance, but also in its ability to perceive the environment - the protea's organ of vision is practically not developed, therefore perception goes through photosensitive cells located over the entire surface of a small body.
9. Tuatara
Tuatara or hatteria rightfully refers to the centenarians of the planet, whose age can reach up to 200 years. This large-sized lizard prefers to lead a nocturnal lifestyle, it was at this time that he went out in search of food. The place of residence of this species is the land of New Zealand. These are quite large reptiles whose length can reach 80 centimeters. Puberty in individuals of this species occurs at twenty years of life. They breed very slowly. After mating with the male, the appearance of eggs and before hatching, more than 1 year passes. Currently, these animals are listed in the Red Book, as they are threatened with extinction.
8. Guidac
Guidac, which means “deep digging” - one of the longest-living mollusks on the planet, whose average life expectancy reaches 145 years. However, cases of the presence of animals of this species, whose age reached 160 years, were recorded. Among the existing versions of longevity, the main ones are two - a sluggish metabolism and the absence of enemies. These are quite unusual creatures that have long intergrown siphons capable of reaching up to 1 meter in length. Moreover, they have a small and very fragile shell of 20 centimeters. For their entire longevity, guidaki produce about 5 billion eggs to continue offspring.
7. Red sea urchin
Red sea hedgehog equated to the centenarians of the planet. The age of some individuals can reach 200 years or more. The habitat of these creatures is the Pacific Ocean, off the west coast of North America. They prefer shallow waters to a depth of 90 meters and live where there are virtually no waves. These amazing living individuals move along the seabed with their spikes located over the entire surface of the body. Echinoderms are relatively small in size, which can range from 2 to a couple of tens of centimeters. Sea urchins are not picky in their diet and practically eat everything they come across, both from plant and animal food.
6. Greenland whale
Bowhead whale refers to marine mammals, which also refers to a number of long-livers of the planet. The age of this vertebrate creature can exceed 200 years. The oldest recorded champion lived to be 211 years old. The bowhead whale prefers the cold waters of the Northern Hemisphere. However, because of their addiction, these animals do not like to be among the permafrost, so sometimes they have to break the ice floes to make their own way. Due to the fact that the bowhead whales live in harsh conditions, it is quite difficult for scientists to observe them.
5. Carp koi
Carp koi It belongs to the most long-living animals, which, in addition to everything, also has a very interesting variegated color. In this species, the fish has more than 14 colors. Koi carps are domesticated ornamental species of fish that were introduced to China 2.5 thousand years ago. A feature of these water-inhabited creatures is their ability to survive up to 200 years or more. One of such centenarians is a fish named Hanako, whose age was 226 years. The age of koi carps is calculated by the number of rings that are on their scales.
4. Abingdon elephant tortoise
Abingdon elephant tortoise refers to the most long-lived vertebrates that live on our planet. Representatives of this species are able to live up to 150 years or more. One of these centenarians is the tortoise Garietta, who was born around 1830. At the time of death, her age was 250 years. Garietta died in an Australian zoo from heart failure. Another centenarian of this genus is the Advaita tortoise, who died at about the same age as the previous centenarian.
3. Greenland polar shark
Greenland polar shark, whose average life expectancy is 275 years, rightfully refers to the most long-living creatures of our planet. However, according to some scientists, the age of this predator can reach 512 years. These are very large animals that can reach a length of 7.5 meters. Up to a hundred years old, Greenland polar sharks belong to young individuals and their growth does not exceed 3 meters. These massive creatures can reach mass up to one and a half tons. These sharks reach puberty only by 150 years of life. In the litter, the female brings up to 10 newborns, the length of which at the time of birth is 90 centimeters.
2. Jellyfish Turritopsis nutricula
Jellyfish Turritopsis nutricula It belongs to practically immortal animals, as it is able to pass into the polyp stage and vice versa after puberty. That is why this animal creature has no natural limitation on its lifespan. Now scientists are actively studying this type of jellyfish, which may help to reveal the secret of how to reverse the aging process.
1. Oceanic Venus
Oceanic venus It belongs to the genus of bivalve mollusks, which lives in ocean waters. This is the most long-lived creature on Earth, known to science. Venus age can exceed 500 years. The average duration of these mollusks is 400 years. The mollusk, which was named Ming, became the record holder among representatives of this species, its age, according to scientists, was 507 years. Age determination was carried out by counting tree rings on its carapace. The mine was washed ashore in 2006, and its date of birth is approximately considered to be 1499.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTVEvUsvDdo