No Humans Born In The 1800s Are Still Alive, But These 3 ‘Ultra Surviving’ Animals Are—Here’s Their Story

The oldest living person in the world is Japan’s Tomiko Itooka, who recently celebrated her 116th birthday. She was born in Osaka in 1908. She was already 30 when World War II started, she was 55 when JFK was assassinated and was 81 when the World Wide Web was first created. When Guinness World Records designated her as the world’s oldest living person earlier this year, Itooka simply replied “thank you.”

As impressive as Itooka’s longevity is, it pales in comparison to some of the non-human ultra-survivors of the animal kingdom. Here are three animals that take longevity to another level.

1. Greenland Shark

The Greenland shark has the longest lifespan of any known vertebrate, estimated to have a longevity of up to 250-500 years. In other words, it’s possible that one or more Greenland sharks alive today were cruising the ocean at the same time that Ferdinand Magellan became the first explorer to successfully circumnavigate the globe (1519-1522). However, it’s unlikely their paths would have crossed as Magellan took a southerly route while Greenland sharks inhabit the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans.

What is possible is that a living Greenland shark was witness to the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. Going back a bit further, it’s possible that a living Greenland shark might have also observed the laying of the first transatlantic telegraph cable, which occurred in the mid-1800s. This possibility seems even more likely given that Greenland sharks tend to prefer deep waters of 100 to 1200 meters.

There are a few key reasons why Greenland sharks are one of the animal kingdom’s most impressive ultra-survivors. For one, they boast an exceptionally slow growth rate, growing only about one centimeter per year and reaching sexual maturity around the age of 150. They have a similarly slow metabolism, which helps them conserve energy. Also, as apex predators in their environment, Greenland sharks face few threats from other animals, which allows them to live for extended periods. Finally, Greenland sharks are well-adapted to life in oxygen-poor, cold waters, which may help prolong their lives. Cold water temperatures slow down biological processes, which can contribute to longer lifespans. Additionally, their ability to thrive in low-oxygen environments might reduce the stress that would otherwise shorten their life expectancy.

2. Bowhead Whale

The life expectancy of a bowhead whale is upwards of 200 years. We know this not only from research, but from hard evidence–some bowhead whales captured as recently as the 2000s off the coast of Alaska were found to have 1800s-era harpoons in their sides. This suggests that these whales successfully evaded human predation for over a century, before finally being slain by modern humans using much more sophisticated hunting methods.

Their remarkable lifespan is attributed to a combination of factors. First, bowhead whales have a slow rate of aging, with evidence suggesting that they possess unique genetic traits that protect their cells from damage and delay the effects of aging. Additionally, their massive size and the cold waters of the Arctic, where they reside, may contribute to their long lives by slowing their metabolic rate and reducing environmental stress. Studies have also shown that bowhead whales have extraordinary cellular repair mechanisms that help them recover from injuries and other physiological stressors. These whales’ ability to thrive in remote and harsh environments, coupled with their slow aging process, makes them a shining example of nature’s longevity.

3. Tuatara

Recent research published in Science estimates that the Tuatara–a species of reptile native to New Zealand–can live for 130-140 years. This is striking for a few reasons, not least of which is that tuatara are relatively small animals (measuring up to 30 inches from tip to tip). Generally speaking, it is larger animals, like the Greenland shark and bowhead whale, that live longest in the animal kingdom. (Another exception can be found in the ~3 inch trapdoor spider—which can, in rare cases, live into its 40s.)

The longevity of tuatara far exceeds that of its ectothermic relatives. The study estimates that, on average, turtles live for about 40 years, crocodiles for 20, snakes and lizards for 12, salamanders for 10, and frogs for eight years.

Several factors contribute to the long lifespan of the Tuatara:

• Slow metabolism. The tuatara has a slow metabolic rate, which is typical of many long-lived species. This slower metabolism reduces wear and tear on the body, allowing it to age more slowly. It helps the tuatara conserve energy and survive in its often harsh, resource-limited environment.
• Slow growth and development. Tuatara grow very slowly, taking many years to reach maturity. Their slow rate of growth means they experience fewer of the metabolic stresses that come with rapid development, contributing to their overall lifespan.
• Low predation risk. Tuatara live in isolated environments with fewer predators, which reduces the threats they face throughout their lives. This low predation risk allows them to live long, stable lives without the constant pressures of evading predators.
• Unique evolutionary traits. As a species with ancient evolutionary origins (dating back to the time of the dinosaurs), tuatara have developed unique biological traits that help them survive in specific environments for extended periods. These traits may include specialized metabolic adaptations and resilience to harsh conditions.

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