Animals that live the longest

Saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) normally live for over 70 years. Records of two especially long-lived crocs suggest they can live to over 120 years.

Tortoises are famed for their longevity. The oldest living land animal is a 190-year-old Seychelles giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea hololissa) named Jonathan.  

Red sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus franciscanus) are small, round invertebrates covered in spines. They live more than 100 years.

Bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) are the longest-living mammals. They comfortably live over 100 years and may live more than 200 years.

The rougheye rockfish (Sebastes aleutianus) is one of the longest-living fish, with a maximum life span of at least 205 years.  

Freshwater pearl mussels (Margaritifera margaritifera) are bivalves that filter particles of food from the water. The oldest known freshwater pearl mussel was 280 years old.

Greenland sharks (Somniosus microcephalus) live deep in the Arctic and North Atlantic oceans. These sharks can have a maximum life span of at least 272 years.

Tube worms are invertebrates that live on the ocean floor and regularly lives up to 200 years, and some specimens survive for more than 300 years.

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