When we think about long lifespans, we usually think of humans. However, many other creatures outlive us by centuries.
Let's explore some of the oldest living things on Earth, from animals and plants to microorganisms.
Giant tortoises are among the oldest living animals. The oldest known giant tortoise, named Jonathan, lives on the island of St. Helena and is 190 years old as of 2022.
Bowhead whales, found in the Arctic, can live incredibly long lives. The oldest recorded bowhead whale was 211 years old. These whales can grow up to 60 feet long.
Greenland sharks, also found in the Arctic, are the longest-living vertebrates on Earth. They can live for over 300 years and don't start reproducing until they're about 150 years old.
This unique plant, found in the Namib Desert in Southern Africa, can live between 400 and 1,500 years.
Deep-water black coral, found off the coast of Hawaii, is among the longest-living corals.
These resilient trees, found in the White Mountains of California, can live for thousands of years.
This giant fungus, discovered in 2001, is estimated to be between 2,000 and 8,500 years old.
The glass sponge, found in the East China Sea, is estimated to be around 11,000 years old, and possibly as old as 14,000 years.
Pando, also known as the Trembling Giant, is a forest of quaking aspen trees in Utah that is thought to be 80,000 years old.
These microscopic freshwater animals can survive extreme conditions, including being frozen for long periods.
Found frozen in Siberian permafrost, the pithovirus is the largest giant virus ever discovered.
Found frozen in Siberian permafrost, the pithovirus is the largest giant virus ever discovered.
A patch of seagrass in the Mediterranean is estimated to be between 80,000 and 200,000 years old.
Microbes found in the South Pacific Gyre, a desolate area off the west coast of South America, are some of the oldest on Earth.
The oldest known microbes, found in Australian rock salt, are as old as 830 million years. Scientists are still determining if these microbes are alive.
Hydras, small freshwater creatures with bodies made mostly of stem cells, are essentially immortal. They can regenerate themselves indefinitely.
These ancient organisms remind us of the incredible diversity and resilience of life on our planet.