Age ranges vary greatly across the animal kingdom, with some species living for only a day while others can outlast centuries. These species are on land and water and carry unique properties to allow them to live for long periods. If you’ve ever wondered what the oldest animal on Earth is, or other old creatures living on Earth, continue reading below.
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The Oldest Animal on Earth
You may think the oldest animal on Earth is a tortoise, but you’ll be surprised to learn the true elder of the world is much, much smaller. Known as the Hydra, these creatures are small invertebrates with soft bodies that resemble jellyfish, native to temperate and tropical regions.
The secret behind the Hydra’s longevity and its namesake is its cells. The invertebrates are largely made up of stem cells, allowing them to regenerate through duplication or cloning, like the mythical beast defeated by Hercules. With the stem cells, the Hydra does not deteriorate as they get older. They do die under natural conditions because of predators or disease, but without these external threats, they could keep regenerating forever.
Scientists have since been increasingly interested in their regenerative ability, and continue to hold studies to see the limits of these incredible creatures.
What is the Oldest Land Animal in the World?
Climbing into the title of the oldest land animal in the world is the tortoise, specifically Jonathan the tortoise. He is around 191 years old, putting his birth year at 1833. This was when Andrew Jackson began his second term as president.
Jonathan is a Seychelles giant tortoise, which normally has an average 150-year lifespan. Jonathan has already beaten this average by several decades and continues to live in peace at the governor’s residence on St. Helena. Though he is blind and no longer has a sense of smell, Jonathan is otherwise healthy and finds his way around by sound.
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Which Animal Can Live 5000 Years?
As scientists continue to study the sea, they have found some species of coral can live for up to 5,000 years. This makes coral one of the oldest animals on Earth. Studies have shown that elkhorn coral in the Caribbean and off the coast of Florida have certain genotypes that can survive longer than expected.
Even though coral can be resilient and live for thousands of years, they are still acutely under the threat of extinction due to human involvement, rising temperatures, and other factors.
What is the Oldest Living Thing?
The oldest living thing in the world is found in the western United States, including Utah, Nevada, and California. The bristlecone pine can live up to nearly 5,000 years, with one of these trees, nicknamed “Methuselah” estimated to be 4,850 years old. This makes the pine the oldest known non-cloned living organism on Earth.
Another tree in the same area, unnamed, clocks in at around 5,067 years old. This means these two trees have lived through the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, and were already established when the Ancient Egyptians started building pyramids.
The term bristlecone pine covers three different species, but out of the three Pinus longaeva is amongst the longest-lived organisms on Earth. These trees are highly resilient to harsh weather and bad soils, allowing them to live in semi-inhospitable environments. They also carry higher levels of telomerase activity, which slows or prevents the aging process.
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How Long Can Humans Live?
While some animals can easily live to be centuries old, this is not the case for humans. Though life expectancy has increased significantly over the last century, the average age for humans is still around 79 years. Some scientists believe that humans can expand their lifespan further, including some of these theories below:
- Evolutionary Limits: Some geneticists believe evolution has a hard limit of around 115 years for the human genome.
- Aging: Human biology and aging are integral to each other, limiting lifespans to slightly over 120 years.
- Risk of Death: One analysis suggests risk of death could plateau after people reach 105 years old.
- Drugs: Research studies have been conducted to suggest drugs that make cellular changes that extend human lifespans.
Other Long-Living Species
While the Hydra may hold the title of oldest animal on Earth, there are several other species that can be considered the oldest on Earth:
- Turritopsis dohrnii (Immortal Jellyfish) – potentially immortal
- Glass Sponge – 10,000+ years
- Black Coral – 4,000+ years
- Ocean Quahog Clam – 500+ years
- Tubeworm – 300+ years
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The animal kingdom is full of hidden mysteries, from purple animals to incredibly rare species only present in one area. These secrets also include lifespans, as many animals on Earth can reach over 100 years old with ease. Make sure to learn more about these amazing creatures, and protect them too so they don’t go extinct in the future.
