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longest living animal

2023-05-20 01:36:15 116

The longest-living animal known is the ocean quahog clam (Arctica islandica), which can live for over 500 years. One famous specimen, nicknamed "Ming," was estimated to be around 507 years old when it was discovered. These clams are found in the North Atlantic Ocean and are known for their incredibly slow growth rate, which contributes to their long lifespan.

However, other animals also exhibit extraordinary longevity:

  1. Greenland Shark (Somniosus microcephalus): These sharks are believed to live for up to 400–500 years. They grow very slowly and reach sexual maturity at around 150 years of age.

  2. Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus): Known to live over 200 years, the bowhead whale is the longest-living mammal.

  3. Aldabra Giant Tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea): These tortoises can live for more than 150 years. One individual, named "Adwaita," reportedly lived to be around 255 years old.

  4. Red Sea Urchin (Strongylocentrotus franciscanus): These sea urchins can live for more than 200 years, often found in the shallow coastal waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Each of these animals has unique biological adaptations that contribute to their exceptional lifespans, ranging from slow metabolism to low exposure to predators.

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