Vampires and gods have only one thing in common: the conscious manifestation of our inherent fear of the absolute emptiness represented by death. However, nature has created truly amazing life forms that seem to flirt with immortality, while other species have a fleeting existence.
1. Immortal Jellyfish
The jellyfish (Turritopsis nutricula) is one of the animals that lives the longest. This animal measures no more than 5 mm, it lives in the Caribbean Sea and is, probably one of the most incredible animals on our planet Earth. It is mainly surprising for its incredible life expectancy, since it is the longest-lived animal in the world and it is practically immortal.
What process makes this jellyfish the longest living animal? The truth is that this jellyfish is capable of reversing the aging process, since it is genetically capable of returning to its polyp form (the equivalent for us of returning to be a baby). Surprising, right? It is, without a doubt, the oldest animal in the world.
two. Sea sponge
Sea sponges (Porifera) are primitive animals but truly beautiful, although even today many people continue to believe that they are of plants. We find sponges in practically any ocean in the world, as they are especially resistant, enduring cold temperatures and depths of up to 5,000 meters These living beings were the first to branch out and are the ancestor common to all animals. Plus, they have a real impact on water filtration.
The truth is that sea sponges are probably the longest living animals in the world These animals already existed 542 million years ago years apart from the immortal jellyfish, as some have exceeded 10,000 years. In fact, the oldest Scolymastra joubini is estimated to have lived 13,000 years. Sponges enjoy this incredible longevity thanks to their slow growth and their generally cold water environment.
3. Iceland Clam
The Icelandic clam (Artica islandica) is the longest-lived mollusc in existence. This became known by accident, when a group of biologists decided to study "Ming", considered the oldest clam in the world, which died at 507 years olddue to clumsy handling by one of your observers.
This mollusk would have emerged about 7 years after the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus and during the Ming dynasty.
4. Greenland Shark
The Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus) lives in the icy depths of the Antarctic, Pacific and Arctic Oceans In addition, it is the the only shark with a soft bone structure and can reach 7 meters in length. It is a great predator which, fortunately, has not been massacred by man as it inhabits places rarely frequented by humans, the bipeds.
Due to its rarity and difficulty in finding it, the Greenland shark is fairly unknown. A group of scientists claimed to have found a member of this species of 392 years, which would give it the record for longest-living vertebrate of the world
5. Bowhead Whale
The Greenland whale (Balaena mysticetus) is completely black, except for its chin, which shows a beautifulhue. white Males measure between 14 and 17 meters and females can reach16 or 18 metersIt is a truly large animal, weighing between 75 and 100 tons. Also, the Bowhead whale is considered one of the animals that live the longest, reaching reach 211 years
Scientists are truly intrigued by the longevity of this whale and especially its ability not to get cancer, because having 1000 times more cells than us it should be more affected. However, its longevity is proof to the contrary. Based on the decoding of the animal's genome, the researchers believe that this animal has managed to create mechanisms to prevent not only cancer, but also some neurodegenerative, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. [1]
6. Koi Carp
Koi carp (Cyprinus carpio) is probably one of the most popular and appreciated pond fish in the world, especially in Asia. It is the result of a crossing of selected individuals, born from a common carp.
The life expectancy of Koi Carp is around 60 years. However, a Koi Carp named "Hanako"lived 226 years.
7. Giant red hedgehog
The giant red hedgehog (Strongylocentrotus franciscanus) is about 20 centimeters in diameter and has spines up to 8 cm, have you seen something similar? It is the largest sea urchin in existence! It feeds mainly on algae and can be especially voracious.
In addition to its size or its spines, the giant red hedgehog stands out for being one of the animals that lives the longest, as it can reach two centuries of life.
8. Galapagos Giant Tortoise
The Galapagos giant tortoise (Chelonoidis spp) actually encompasses 10 different species, so close together that experts consider them subspecies.
These giant tortoises are endemic animals of the famous archipelago of islands. Their life expectancy is around 150 and 200 years.
9. Atlantic Clock
The Atlantic roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) lives in all the oceans of the planet. However, we don't usually see it because it has chosen as its habitat certain areas more than 900 meters deep.
The largest specimen measured about 75 cm and weighed about 7 kilograms. In addition, said Atlantic clock lived until 150 years . An incredible age for a fish!
10. Tuatara
The tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) is one of the species that has inhabited the Earth for more than 200 million years. This little animal has a third eye. In addition, their way of moving is truly ancient.
The tuatara stops growing around 50 years, when they reach about 45 or 61 cm and weighing approximately 500 grams or one kilogram The longest-lived specimen on record is a tuatara that has lived over 111 years A record!
