![]() It was nicknamed Ming after the Chinese dynasty which was in power during the clam’s birth year, 1506. ![]() However, in November 2013, using more sophisticated measuring techniques, this figure was revised up to an extraordinary 507 years. Unbeknownst to them, they had just picked up the oldest animal in the world.Īfter studying annual growth rings in the shell, the clam was initially determined to be between 405 and 410 years old. It had been living on the seabed off the north coast of Iceland until it was scooped up by researchers in 2006 as part of a climate change study. The longest-lived animal ever discovered is a quahog clam, estimated to be 507 years old. Jonathan’s age has been reliably estimated from the fact that he was fully mature (and hence at least 50 years old) when he arrived on the island in 1882. Originally from the Seychelles, he is a long-time resident of the remote South Atlantic island of St Helena. He is believed to have been born in 1832, making him 189 years old in 2021. Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise, is the oldest land animal alive in the world. Through learning their tricks, we may even learn how to extend our own existence as a species.įeaturing elderly pets, ancient sea dwellers and a timeworn tortoise, here are the world’s oldest animals. ![]() Studying them can provide valuable insight into the biological, molecular and genetic mechanisms of ageing. Keeping track of the world’s oldest animals is important as it enables us to gain an understanding of why some species live longer than others. The lifespans of different animal species have long fascinated us humans, with writings on the subject dating back to Aristotle. ![]()
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