What Animal Lives the Longest?

The question of what animal lives the longest is a hard one to answer. It is difficult to know for sure when some of the longest lived animals were actually born, making an accurate accounting of their age almost impossible. But there are ways to be reasonably sure about the ages of some animals that have lived for as long as two or more centuries.

Time Frame

A quahog clam found in the waters off of Iceland is unofficially the longest living animal. Its growth rings reportedly added up to an astounding 410 years. There have been other clams of this genre that have also lived for more than two centuries, and those are confirmed by science. A koi fish that went by the name of Hanako was 215 years old when it passed away in 1977. On the average though, the rare Madagascar radiated tortoise is the winner of the oldest living animal contest. They average over 160 years old, with one documented as living for 188 years. It died in 1965.

History

There is evidence that the bowhead whale could be a long living champion, with some of that evidence being connected to history. Once bowhead whales were thought to live for maybe 70 years but antique ivory spear points have been found in specimens time and again. Some of these spear heads date back to the 1700s, leading scientists to conclude that the whales that they were found embedded in were over 200 years old.

Considerations

Human beings are up there on the list of longevity in regards to living, but they are nowhere close to the oldest living animals. The oldest human that could provide proof of her age was Jeanne Calmet, who lived past 122 years old in France and died on August 4th, 1997. Consdier that of the 30 oldest documented human beings, 27 of them are women.

Theories/Speculation

Although not considered an animal in the classic sense of the word there are certain types of bacteria that may be millions of years old. Reputable scientists have claimed to have revived some types of bacteria that have lain dormant for eons. One species was encased in amber for an estimated 40 million years before coming back to life while another may be almost 250 millions years old, found in New Mexico salt deposits. None of these statements have been verified, making them speculative but possible.

Misconceptions

There is a misconception that birds do not live all that long compared to other species. However, there have been reliable reports of some birds reaching extreme old age. A turkey buzzard in a zoo outlived everyone that first saw it in its new confines, reaching 118 years old. A swan passed the century mark by 2 years and a parrot grew to be as old as 80.