Animals are long-livers. Top-5
How often do we, humans, think about how fleeting our lives are? Not to mention animals, many of them live much less than us, and we often have to experience the loss of our beloved four-legged friend. However, there are other animals in nature that can live much longer than humans. Below is a ranking of the longest-living animals on earth:
1. Turritopsis Nutricula Jellyfish Topping this list is the Turritopsis Nutricula jellyfish. This tiny jellyfish (about 5mm in diameter) hides the most fantastic mystery that many scientists around the world are struggling with — the secret of immortality! After reproduction, this jellyfish settles on the seabed and transforms into polyps, which, roughly speaking, start their life cycle anew.
2. Sponges These simple invertebrate animals also inhabit the aquatic space. In cold waters, where their metabolism slows down, sponge growth can occur at a rate of 0.2mm per year. Accordingly, the age of a 2-meter sponge would be 10,000 years!
3. Colpophyllia Natans or Coral Polyps Usually, coral polyps live a short life. When one polyp dies, another grows on it. However, this type of coral is an exception. Its lifespan can reach up to 400 years.
4. Geoduck Clam This clam is famous as one of the longest-living animals. The average lifespan of geoducks is about 150 years. Possible reasons for such longevity include the slowed metabolism of these clams and the almost complete absence of enemies.
5. Red Sea Urchin Red sea urchins can live up to 200 years.
