10 Animals That Live Longer Than You’d Expect
Most of us think of long lifespans and immediately picture giant tortoises or ancient oak trees. But the animal world is full of unexpected creatures that live far longer than you’d ever guess. These longevity champions defy aging and have evolved biological superpowers that slow the clock in ways scientists are still trying to understand.
What’s their secret? Let’s find out.
Greenland Shark
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These deep-sea giants can live 300 to 500 years and are among the longest-living vertebrates on Earth. But the most surprising factor is that they don’t even reach adulthood until around 150. The freezing Arctic waters slow their metabolism to an almost immortal crawl.
Ocean Quahog
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Ming is a clam so old (507 years!) that it was alive when the Ming Dynasty ruled China. Scientists determine the age of ocean quahogs by counting growth rings on their shells—like tree rings but saltier. These clams are basically tiny time capsules sitting at the bottom of the ocean.
Bowhead Whale
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Bowhead whales are massive and among the longest-living mammals on Earth, with some individuals reaching over 200 years. This extraordinary lifespan was confirmed when researchers discovered 19th-century harpoon tips lodged in their blubber. These Arctic giants have survived generations of human whalers and continue to thrive in frigid waters today.
Rougheye Rockfish
Credit: Canva
It is not just the eyes–this entire fish is as tough as nails. The rougheye rockfish has the ability to live for over 200 years, lurks in the North Pacific’s deep waters, and ages like a fine wine—thanks to its ridiculously slow growth rate that keeps it kicking for centuries.
Red Sea Urchin
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Red sea urchins age like they’re in a perpetual spa day. Some live over 200 years without showing signs of aging. In fact, a 100-year-old sea urchin is just as spry as a teenager. Their regenerative abilities make scientists wonder if they hold the key to eternal youth.
Koi Fish
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Your pet koi might outlive you. “Hanako,” the world’s oldest known koi, lived 226 years—hanging out in Japanese ponds through multiple centuries. While most koi live around 40 years, pristine water, good genes, and stress-free living can turn them into fishy Methuselahs.
Tuatara
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These lizard-like reptiles from New Zealand are older than the dinosaurs’ extinction and still going strong. Tuataras grow painfully slow, with lifespans exceeding 100 years, but that’s their survival strategy. They’ve barely changed in 200 million years—because, honestly, why mess with perfection?
Naked Mole Rat
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They may be wrinkly, nearly blind, and commonly mistaken for tiny aliens, but naked mole rats are aging geniuses. Unlike their short-lived rodent cousins, they can survive over 30 years. They resist cancer, barely feel pain, and thrive in low-oxygen environments.
African Elephant
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Elephants never forget—and with lifespans reaching 80 years, they have plenty of time to remember. These majestic mammals age gracefully and form tight family bonds as they pass down knowledge across generations. Protected elephants in sanctuaries often live even longer.
Macaw
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If you’re thinking of getting a macaw, make sure you’re committed. These colorful chatterboxes can live 60 to 80 years. Some even surpass 100! With their intelligence and playful nature, macaws are like winged toddlers that never grow up. Just make sure you’ve got a solid long-term pet plan.
Longfin Eel
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These slippery survivors drift through rivers and outlast generations. Longfin eels, native to New Zealand and Australia, can live over 100 years. They spend decades in freshwater before making one dramatic, final migration to the ocean to breed and die. Some have hit 106 years old!
Lobster
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Lobsters live long, and they never stop growing. Thanks to an enzyme that repairs their DNA, they avoid aging like most creatures. Some exceed 100 years, and the largest ever recorded was estimated to be over a century old. It won’t be wrong to say that they’re the time travelers of the seafood world.
Albatross
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These legendary seabirds spend most of their lives soaring over oceans. One famous albatross, “Wisdom,” is at least 72 years old—and still raising chicks! With lifespans reaching 60+ years, these birds prove that a life spent traveling is a life well-lived.
Tufted Puffin
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With their bright orange beaks and comical expressions, tufted puffins don’t seem built for endurance—but these seabirds regularly reach 20+ years. Some even make it past 30 in the wild! When you’re dodging predators and braving icy seas, that’s an impressive feat.
Brandt’s Bat
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Most small mammals burn out fast, but Brandt’s bats laugh in the face of time. Despite being mouse-sized, they can live over 40 years, which makes them one of the longest-living bats. Scientists think their secret lies in their ability to slow metabolism and resist disease—an anti-aging trick we’d all love to steal.