As medical science progresses, we humans, as a race, find ourselves living longer and longer lives. But while we have medicine and all the benefits of modern living to help us expand our lifespans, there are still several species of wild animals that outdo us, living for almost impossibly long periods, despite being susceptible to the pressures of sickness and predation. Who are these animals? How long do they live, and which one lives the longest? Most importantly—are there immortal animals living in the world today? And could they help us become immortal one day, too?
As medical science continues to advance, humans are living longer and longer lives. We have the benefits of modern living and medicine to thank for this, but there are still some wild animals that outlive us by a long shot. These animals are able to withstand the pressures of sickness and predation and live for almost impossibly long periods. So, who are these animals? What are their lifespans, and which one lives the longest? Read on to find out.
The bowhead whale is one of the longest-living animals on the planet, with some individuals living up to 200 years. The Aldabra giant tortoise is another species that can live up to an impressive 250 years. The Greenland shark is also known to live for an incredibly long time, with some estimates suggesting they can live up to 400 years.
But are there any animals that are actually immortal? Well, some species of jellyfish, such as the Turritopsis dohrnii, are able to revert back to their juvenile state after reaching maturity, meaning they can essentially live forever. This process is known as ‘transdifferentiation’, and it’s something that scientists are currently researching in the hopes of finding a way to apply it to humans.
So, while we may not be able to become immortal just yet, the fact that some animals are able to live for such long periods of time is a testament to the incredible power of nature. And who knows, maybe one day we’ll be able to use the same techniques as the Turritopsis dohrnii to extend our own lifespans.
