The Greenland shark has the longest known life span of all vertebrates, estimated to be between 300 and 500 years. Found in the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, the species can reach an astonishing 21 feet in length and mostly eats fish, but has been spotted hunting seals.
There are a number of marine species that outlive humans, and the mammal species that holds the record for longevity is the bowhead whale, which can live for 200 years - or more.
Bowhead Whale
The credit for being the longest-living mammal on the planet goes to the bowhead whale, also known as the Arctic whale.
The ocean quahog is a fist-size clam that can live to be 500 years or older. Some researchers believe the sturdy quahog's secret to a long life is its ability to protect its proteins from damage.
According to one tradition, Epimenides of Crete (7th, 6th centuries BC) lived nearly 300 years.
The current record for human lifespan is held by Jeanne Calment, who lived to be 122 years and 164 days old. While this is an impressive achievement, it is still far from the 300-year mark. In fact, there is currently no scientific evidence to suggest that it is possible for humans to live for such a long time.
Aquatic animals. Glass sponges found in the East China Sea and Southern Ocean have been estimated to be more than 10,000 years old. Although this may be an overestimate, it is likely that this is the longest lived animal on Earth.
To date, there's only one species that has been called 'biologically immortal': the jellyfish Turritopsis dohrnii. These small, transparent animals hang out in oceans around the world and can turn back time by reverting to an earlier stage of their life cycle.
The increased longevity of humans is, in part, attributable to environmental changes; improved food, water, and hygiene; reduced impact of infectious disease; and improved medical care at all ages.
The dainty mayfly, an insect found worldwide in clean freshwater habitats, lives for just one or two days, the shortest lifespan of any known animal. They don't even have mouths as they feed in the air.
The most long-lived whale and the oldest mammal reported has been the Bowhead Whale where an individual was found to be of over 200 years of age! This species of whale is only found in the Arctic. The Fin Whale has been found to be live up to 140 years (average 90 years) and is commonly found in Icelandic waters.
The First Animals
Sponges were among the earliest animals. While chemical compounds from sponges are preserved in rocks as old as 700 million years, molecular evidence points to sponges developing even earlier.
Crocodiles
Well, crocodiles share a heritage with dinosaurs as part of a group known as archosaurs (“ruling reptiles”), who date back to the Early Triassic period (250 million years ago). The earliest crocodilian, meanwhile, evolved around 95 million years ago, in the Late Cretaceous period.
Approximately 300,000 years ago, the first Homo sapiens — anatomically modern humans — arose alongside our other hominid relatives.
Regenerating flatworms
This apparently limitless regeneration also applies to aging and damaged tissue, allowing the worms to cheat death indefinitely, according to a study at the University of Nottingham.
They react differently when external stimuli are applied while sleeping and while awake. But the bullfrog, Lithobates catesbeianus show the same reaction in both situations. This indicates that bullfrogs do not sleep. Lithobates catesbeianus is an animal that cannot sleep.
Kangaroo rats, according to scientists, are the only animals that can exist without water. According to the findings, they do not have any water in their bodies for any of their digestive functions. Kangaroo rats can survive in deserts without ever drinking.
If you're looking for something warm blooded, the oldest known mammal is the bowhead whale, with one individual estimated to be 211 years old. The longest-living vertebrate is the Greenland shark.
American Alligators have a bite force of about 2125 PSI. And the strongest known bite force of the entire animal kingdom is…. The Crocodile -- specifically, the Saltwater Crocodile (the highest recorded “live” bite of 3700 PSI) and the Nile Crocodile (estimated 4000-5000 PSI)!
Longevity and Conservation
Wisdom, a 69-year-old female Laysan Albatross that currently holds the record as the oldest-known wild bird, may have produced as many as 36 chicks over the course of her life.
The brain lives on for 30 seconds after death.
If we used a time machine to travel back to a prehistoric period, the earliest we could survive would be the Cambrian (around 541 million years ago). Any earlier than that and there wouldn't have been enough oxygen in the air to breathe.
For men, the group expects they will live to be 83 to 86 instead of the government's projection of 80 years average life expectancy in 2050. S. Jay Olshansky, co-author of the report, said a few extra years life might not sound important, but it will cost us socially and financially.
There is archaeological evidence dogs were the first animals domesticated by humans more than 30,000 years ago (more than 10,000 years before the domestication of horses and ruminants).