We humans can live a pretty long time, so it’s easy to get the sense that other species generally have a short lifespan by comparison. But did you know that there are actually many animals that can comfortably outlive us? This list reveals 17 animals that can live longer than 100 years.
Galapagos Giant Tortoise
The Galapagos giant tortoise is an incredible creature that plays an important role in the Galapagos Islands ecosystem. They are one of the most famous long-lived animals in the world, with many individuals living longer than 100 years and some even reaching the grand age of 150.
Bowhead Whale
According to the National Institutes of Health, the bowhead whale may be the longest-living mammal in the world, with some individuals living for an incredible 200 years or more. They live in cold Arctic waters and are very slow-growing, which probably contributes to their remarkable longevity.
Greenland Shark
The Greenland shark is likely to be the oldest living vertebrate in the world, with scientists estimating that they can live for over 400 years—over four times longer than most humans. Like bowhead whales, they live in cold waters and grow very slowly, which plays a key role in their long lifespans.
Ocean Quahog
The ocean quahog is a species of clam famous for its amazing longevity. It lives in the North Atlantic and has a hard shell that helps it thrive deep under the ocean surface. These ocean mollusks have been known to live for over 500 years, possibly making them the longest-living animals in the world.
Red Sea Urchin
Red sea urchins are vibrant little spike balls with a lot of life to live. It’s estimated that many of these sea urchins live for about 100 years, but they can live a lot longer given the right conditions. They can typically be found in shallow water around the coast of the Pacific Ocean.
Koi Fish
The koi is a stunning, iconic Japanese fish that is often used as a symbol of perseverance and luck in its native country. Some of the oldest koi in the world are known to have lived for over 200 years, meaning they’re able to easily outlive humans.
Macaw
Parrots are known for being some of the longest-living birds in the world. However, you may be surprised to learn that some macaws are capable of living for over 100 years in captivity and under the right conditions. They do best when given plenty of mental stimulation and a varied diet.
Aldabra Giant Tortoise
The Aldabra giant tortoise doesn’t typically live as long as the Galapagos giant tortoise, but some members of the species have been known to live for over 150 years. As the name suggests, these incredible creatures are native to the Aldabra atoll, located in Seychelles.
Tuatara
The tuatara is an ancient-looking reptile with a lineage that can be traced back to the dinosaur age. As cold-blooded creatures with a slow growth rate, tuataras are able to live for over 100 years. They are also known for their unique “parietal eye,” which can be found on their forehead.
African Elephant
While most African elephants will only make it to 60 to 70 years old, some individuals have been able to reach 100 years old or more. These beautiful mammals are famous for their intricate social structures and impressive levels of intelligence, and the WWF reports that they are the largest land animals in the world.
Blue Whale
Moving on from the largest land animal to the biggest animal on our planet, the blue whale is a truly magnificent creature that can grow up to 110 feet in length. Their slow growth rate and huge size also help them reach a remarkable age of 80–90 years on average.
Sperm Whale
Sperm whales are significantly smaller than blue whales, but their lifespan is almost as impressive. Many individuals have been known to live for over 70 years, but some have likely lived for longer. These whales are also famous for their amazing deep-diving abilities and large, distinctive heads.
Lobster
Did you know that lobsters are biologically immortal? The Natural History Museum says that because they grow by molting and repeatedly replacing their old shell, they actually never show any signs of aging. Instead of dying of old age, they will sadly typically die from exhaustion or human hunting.
Geoduck Clam
The geoduck clam gets its name from a Native American word that means “dig deep.” As you may have guessed, these clams are proficient at burrowing into the sea floor within the Pacific Northwest. They are also known for having incredibly long lifespans, with many individuals living for over 160 years.
Lake Sturgeon
The lake sturgeon is famous for being one of the longest-living freshwater fish in the world, with some individuals reaching the age of 150 years. They are mostly found in lakes and rivers within North America. Lake sturgeons also play an important ecological role by feeding on the bottom of lakes and riverbeds.
Immortal Jellyfish (Turritopsis dohrnii)
As their name suggests, immortal jellyfish are biologically immortal. This is because they have the unique ability to revert to their juvenile form after they become adults. These incredible creatures live in temperate and tropical seas throughout the world.
Glass Sponge
While the glass sponge may look like a funky kind of sea plant, it’s actually an animal with a complex glass-like skeleton. These remarkable deep-sea creatures may have a maximum lifespan of 15,000 years, according to some scientific estimates. They can also grow to be an impressive 10 feet tall.
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