Top 10 Longest-Living Animals

• John Doe
• Latest Update : August 8, 2025

When discussing the longest-living animals on Earth, we often look at creatures that can survive for centuries or even millennia. Here's a list of ten such animals, ranked by their potential lifespan:

1Immortal Jellyfish (Turritopsis dohrnii)

Immortal Jellyfish (Turritopsis dohrnii): This tiny creature has the unique ability to revert its cells back to an earlier stage of development if it is injured or stressed, effectively allowing it to "start over" and potentially live indefinitely .

2Hydra

Hydra: Similar to the immortal jellyfish, hydras are small freshwater organisms that show no signs of aging and theoretically could live forever under ideal conditions .

3Glass Sponge

Glass Sponge: These deep-sea sponges have been estimated to live for up to 11,000 years, with some species possibly living even longer .

4Deep-Sea Black Coral

Deep-Sea Black Coral: Certain species of black coral found in Hawaii have been dated to be around 4,265 years old .

5Ocean Quahog (Arctica islandica)

Ocean Quahog (Arctica islandica): The oldest known ocean quahog was nicknamed "Ming," and it lived for 507 years before being collected .

6Greenland Shark

Greenland Shark: Researchers estimate that these sharks can live for at least 272 years, with some individuals possibly reaching ages of 300 to 500 years .

7Bowhead Whale

Bowhead Whale: As the longest-living mammal, bowhead whales can reach ages of over 200 years .

8Freshwater Pearl Mussel

Freshwater Pearl Mussel: Some individuals of this species have been recorded as living beyond 250 years .

9Red Sea Urchin

Red Sea Urchin: Living in shallow coastal waters, red sea urchins can survive for more than 200 years .

10Rougheye Rockfish

Rougheye Rockfish: This fish species holds the record for the longest-lived rockfish, with some individuals reaching the age of 205 years .

Note:

These examples highlight the incredible diversity of lifespans among different species. While humans may aspire to extend our own life expectancy, these animals demonstrate just how far nature has already pushed the boundaries of longevity. Each of these animals has evolved unique biological mechanisms that allow them to resist the typical wear and tear associated with aging, making them fascinating subjects for scientific study and contributing to our understanding of aging processes .