Living longer is an art. The secret behind some longer-living animals is their evolutionary achievement to manoeuvre their body function. The longest living animal in the world till date is Ocean quahog clam that lived for 507 years. But, how do such animals live so long? What keeps them alive for so long? Let’s find out the mystery behind animals that have longest life spans.
1. The Ocean Quahog
It is the longest living animal with the life-span of a staggering 500 years. Scientists claim that ocean quahogs ability to protect their protein from damage makes them almost eternal.
2. Naked Mole Rat
It can outlive their rodent relatives far, by up to 25 years. Naked mole rats‘ elastic skin helps them fight cancer, which is the leading cause of death in the rat family.
3. Tortoise
A tortoise has a lifespan of over 200 years. The secrets behind their super-long life are slow metabolism and heartbeat rate(half the speed of human heartbeat rate).
4. The Bowhead Whales
In 2007, Alaskan hunters discovered Victorian era (1837 – 1901) harpoon stuck in the blubber of a bowhead whale. The bowhead whales are the longest living mammals on the planet.
A study shows that bowhead whales have exceptional resistance to cancer, ageing, and cell damage. The bowhead whale can live up to 200 years without any disease during their lifetime.
5. Greenland Shark
The Greenland shark can live up to a whopping 400 years! The secret behind their longevity is a minimum growth rate of just 1 cm per year.
6. Immortal Jellyfish
Immortal Jellyfish, known as Turritopsis dohrnii, is immortal because of their ability to regenerate. This jellyfish transforms its old cells into a new one and ages backwards. So, they are biologically immortal.
7. Elephants
Elephants live up to 70-80 years. Due to their enormous size, predators can’t easily attack them, and they have enough time to reproduce.
RECAP :
- The Ocean quahog can live longer because of its ability to protect their protein.
- Naked mole rats have elastic skin that helps them fight cancer.
- The tortoise has slow metabolism and heartbeat rate. So, they can live longer.
- Bowhead whales are the longest living mammals in the world.
- Greenland Sharks can even live up to 400 years.
- Some Jellyfish are biologically immortal because they can regenerate.
- Elephants can live up to 70-80 years.
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