In 2006, a mollusk was pulled from the icy waters of Iceland. When scientists counted the growth rings on its shell — like tree rings — they discovered it was 507 years old. It was born in 1499, before Columbus died, before Shakespeare was born, before the Protestant Reformation.
Unfortunately, they killed the animal when opening it for study. They nicknamed it Ming, after the Chinese dynasty that ruled when it was born.
But Ming was no exception. The ocean is full of creatures that live for centuries — some possibly forever. Here's what we know about Earth's longest-living animals.
The Longevity Champions
1. Turritopsis dohrnii: The "Immortal" Jellyfish
Life expectancy: Theoretically infinite
This tiny 4.5mm jellyfish does something no other known animal can: reverse its age.
When injured, sick, or simply old, Turritopsis can return to the polyp stage — its juvenile form — and restart its life cycle. It's as if a butterfly could become a caterpillar again.
How it works:
A process called transdifferentiation — specialized adult cells reprogram themselves to become completely different cell types.
Why they don't live forever:
In practice, they die from predation, disease, or accidents. Biological immortality doesn't mean invulnerability.
Scientific implications:
Researchers study their genes for potential applications in human regenerative medicine.
2. Greenland Shark: The Oldest Vertebrate
Life expectancy: 250-500 years
In the icy waters of the Arctic lives a predator that barely moves — and may have been born before the Mayflower reached America.
Revolutionary discovery (2016):
Carbon-14 analysis of the eyes of captured Greenland sharks revealed that the oldest specimen was approximately 400 years old. The margin of error was large (±120 years), but even at the lower limit, it would be the longest-lived vertebrate known.
How they live so long:
- Temperature: Near-freezing waters (1-3°C) slow metabolism
- Growth: Only 1cm per year (reach sexual maturity around 150 years!)
- Metabolism: Extremely slow, conserving energy
Dark curiosity:
Many Greenland sharks have parasitic worms hanging from their eyes, leaving them practically blind. It doesn't matter — they hunt by smell.
3. Bowhead Whale: The Mammalian Champion
Life expectancy: 200+ years
In 2007, a bowhead whale was caught in Alaska with a harpoon tip embedded in its blubber — a type of weapon that hadn't been manufactured since the 1880s. The whale had survived a hunt over 100 years earlier.
Confirmed record:
Amino acid analysis of eye lenses suggests some bowheads exceed 200 years.
Why they live so long:
- Genes that repair DNA damage
- Resistance to cancer (despite having 1,000x more cells than humans)
- Cold environment that slows aging
4. Giant Tortoise: The Land Icon
Life expectancy: 150-200 years
Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise living on St. Helena Island, was born around 1832 — making him over 190 years old and the oldest known living land animal.
He has lived through:
- The entire Victorian Era
- Two World Wars
- The invention of electricity, cars, airplanes, and the internet
- 40 British monarchs and 39 US presidents
Why they live so long:
- Extremely slow metabolism
- Ability to survive months without food or water
- No natural predators as adults
- Efficient DNA repair genes
5. Koi Fish: Living Centuries in Ponds
Life expectancy: 25-35 years (up to 200+ in exceptional cases)
Hanako, a scarlet koi from Japan, died in 1977 at 226 years old — verified by counting growth rings on her scales.
Born in 1751, she lived through:
- The French Revolution
- The American Civil War
- Both World Wars
- The Space Age
Why some live so long:
- Pristine water quality
- Balanced diet
- Absence of predators
- Possible genetic factors
6. Ocean Quahog: The Mollusk That Saw History
Life expectancy: 400-500+ years
Ming, the famous Icelandic clam, was 507 years old when collected in 2006.
How we know:
Mollusks form annual growth rings, like trees. Scientists count them under microscope.
Why they live so long:
- Extremely slow metabolism
- Cold waters
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Efficient antioxidant systems
7. Parrots and Cockatoos: Feathered Centenarians
Life expectancy: 40-80 years (up to 100+)
Macaws, cockatoos, and African grey parrots are among the longest-lived birds.
Cookie, a Major Mitchell's cockatoo from Brookfield Zoo, died in 2016 at 83 years old — the oldest documented parrot in captivity.
Why they live so long:
- Large brains (protection against neurodegeneration)
- Slow metabolism for birds
- In captivity: protection from predators and access to veterinary care
8. Elephant: Memory That Lasts Decades
Life expectancy: 60-70 years
Elephants are the longest-lived land mammals after humans.
Lin Wang, an Asian elephant that served the Chinese army in World War II, died in a Taiwan zoo in 2003 at 86 years old.
Why they live so long:
- Low metabolic rate for their size
- Social structures that protect individuals
- Genes similar to humans for longevity
The Secrets of Extreme Longevity
Common Patterns
Analyzing long-lived animals, scientists identified recurring factors:
1. Slow metabolism
Almost all longevity champions have low metabolic rates. Less burning = less oxidative damage = slower aging.
2. Low body temperature
Many live in cold environments or are ectothermic (cold-blooded).
3. Superior DNA repair
Greenland sharks, whales, and turtles have exceptionally efficient DNA repair genes.
4. Cancer resistance
Large animals should have more cancer (more cells), but developed proportional defenses.
5. Regeneration
Immortal jellyfish, axolotls, and others regenerate damaged tissues.
What Humans Can Learn
Researchers are studying genes from long-lived animals for potential applications:
- p53 gene from elephants (tumor suppressor)
- ERCC1 from whales (DNA repair)
- Transdifferentiation from Turritopsis (cell reversal)
It doesn't mean we'll live 200 years soon — but it could help treat degenerative diseases.
The Perspective of Time
What the World Was Like When They Were Born
400-year-old Greenland shark (born ~1620):
- Pilgrims hadn't yet reached America
- Shakespeare had just died
- Galileo was being persecuted by the Church
Jonathan the tortoise (born 1832):
- Slavery was still legal in the USA
- Charles Darwin was boarding the Beagle
- Abraham Lincoln was 23 years old
Ming the mollusk (born 1499):
- Leonardo da Vinci was alive
- Michelangelo hadn't yet painted the Sistine
- Machiavelli hadn't yet written The Prince
Conclusion
Longevity in the animal kingdom defies our expectations. While humans celebrate centenarians as exceptions, 100-year-old turtles are "middle-aged," 150-year-old sharks have just reached sexual maturity, and 500-year-old mollusks aren't impossible.
These animals contain in their genes secrets that scientists are only beginning to decipher — clues to aging, regeneration, and disease resistance.
And perhaps the greatest lesson is humility: while we pride ourselves on our intelligence and technology, a blind shark slowly swimming in the Arctic may have been born before Newton formulated gravity — and will still be there long after we're all gone.
Sources: National Geographic, Science Journal, Marine Biology Research, Proceedings of the Royal Society B. Updated February 2026.
