What is the oldest living animal on Earth? The answer will shock you!

Nature doesn’t just create beauty, it crafts survival miracles. While most animals have short lives, a rare few have mastered the art of staying alive for centuries, even millennia. These aren’t just long-lived creatures; they’re nature’s ultimate time travelers. From the frozen depths of the oceans to the darkest corners underground, they’ve developed bizarre, brilliant strategies to cheat death. Get ready to meet 12 animals whose lifespans will absolutely blow your mind.

Record age: up to 15,000 years

This unassuming sea sponge thrives in the freezing waters of Antarctica, where temperatures hover around 28.6 °F—so cold that biological processes hit the brakes. In such icy conditions, metabolism slows to a crawl, allowing these sponges to live for thousands of years.

Some have reached impressive sizes of over 3 feet tall and have been around since mammoths were still thundering across the tundra. They don’t move, they don’t stress, and they barely change, just quietly existing while centuries pass them by. Their secret to extreme longevity? Glacial patience, deep-sea stillness, and a lifestyle that redefines "low-maintenance".

Age: technically… infinite

This tiny jellyfish, no bigger than a fingernail—less than 0.2 inches—is like the ocean’s very own Benjamin Button. What makes it truly extraordinary is its ability to rewind its life story, flipping back to a youthful, juvenile stage whenever it wants. While it’s not completely invincible (predators and other threats are still very real), if left undisturbed, it can keep hitting the reset button on aging indefinitely, making it one of the most fascinating "time-benders" in nature.

Record age: 507 years

In 2006, a special clam was discovered buried deep in the seabeds of the North Atlantic. Scientists were able to determine that it had been there since at least 1499—that’s centuries before the United States was even a thought! This ancient marvel, nicknamed "Ming", was able to perfect a slow-and-steady approach to life. Growing at a snail’s pace and barely budging, Ming’s sedentary lifestyle turned out to be a brilliant strategy for beating the clock. Who knew doing almost nothing could be the ultimate secret to longevity?

Record age: estimated 392 years

These sharks aren’t your average ocean cruisers—they can stretch over 20 feet long and weigh up to 2,200 pounds. But what’s really mindblowing is how slowly they move, like they’re in a permanent state of deep relaxation. Living in the icy Arctic waters, these giants don’t hit adulthood until they’re about 150 years old, and some can glide through the depths for nearly 400 years. Imagine that! These ancient swimmers were already around before America declared independence... and they are still out there, silently roaming the seas!

Record age: over 211 years

This whale is a true ocean giant, stretching up to 60 feet long and weighing a staggering 200,000 pounds. But what makes it stand out isn’t just its size but its age. Some of these majestic creatures carry harpoons from the 1800s still lodged in their skin, like walking history books. Just picture living so long that you’re literally carrying outdated technology embedded in your body—talk about being a time traveler of the seas!

Record age: 200 years

Spanning the chilly Pacific coastline from California all the way up to Alaska, this spiky little ball—about 7 inches across—is full of surprises. It munches on algae and calls the deep, dark ocean its home, thriving at depths of up to 300 feet. Don’t let its size fool you: this prickly creature is a true elder of the cold seas, quietly outliving many ocean neighbors while keeping a low profile. A tough, slow-living veteran wrapped in spikes!

Record age: 226 years

Meet Hanako, a legendary Japanese koi who swam through life for an astonishing 226 years. Scientists discovered how old she was by studying the rings on her scales, much like counting the growth rings of a tree. These colorful, ornamental fish aren’t just symbols of good fortune; they’re also secret long-lifers with the potential to celebrate over two centuries of birthdays, as long as they get the right care and a peaceful pond to call home.

Record age: 190 years

Jonathan is a male tortoise living on the remote island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean. He was born back in 1832, and he’s still happily chomping lettuce and soaking up the sun today. Weighing in at more than 400 pounds and measuring around 3 feet long, Jonathan holds the title of the oldest known living land animal on the planet. If he could share tales, they’d span nearly two centuries of history. Imagine that!

Record age: 152 years

This ancient-looking fish, with its whisker-like barbels, looking like a tiny underwater submarine, prowls the lakes of North America. It can reach an impressive length of up to 7 feet and weigh around 200 pounds. These slow-living creatures don’t rush into adulthood—they start breeding only around age 20—and then take their time cruising through life at a leisurely pace. Believe it or not, one legendary catch in Wisconsin was estimated to be over 150 years old!

Record age: over 90 years

This chunky, night-loving parrot from New Zealand is a true oddball—it can’t fly, snores like a grumpy grandpa, and smells like fresh flowers. Despite its quirks, this bird boasts an impressively long lifespan. Sadly, it teeters on the edge of extinction. The oldest known kakapo, affectionately named Richard Henry, lived 90 years, earning him the title of the charmingly eccentric elder statesman of the avian world.

Record age: 37 years

This tiny, kooky rodent—barely 3 inches long and just over an ounce in weight—could’ve been cast straight from a sci-fi apocalypse flick. Dwelling in vast underground colonies across Africa, it’s practically invincible to cancer, pain, and the usual effects of aging. Scientists are fascinated by this little marvel, even if it’s not winning beauty contests anytime soon. Its superpowers make it a star in longevity research!

Record age: estimated 100+ years

Lobsters have a totally different rulebook than us when it comes to aging. They don’t really grow old; they just keep getting bigger and bigger. Some giant lobsters weigh over 40 pounds and stretch beyond 3 feet long. Their biggest threats? Not old age, but predators or the risky process of shedding their shells. In theory, they could live forever if left alone—but let’s be honest, not many get to enjoy a peaceful, lobster-sized retirement!

LANGUAGE JEWELS

Did You Know These 10 "Wicked" New England Words?

Image: Peter James Eisenhaure

Few regions in the world are as gorgeous as New England. The six states that comprise "Yankeeland" are filled with beautiful landscapes, historical sites, and, perhaps most importantly, amazingly friendly people.

With that in mind, New Englanders certainly have a particularly colorful vernacular. We have selected ten of the most amazing and iconic New England slang terms to make you feel like a local the next time you visit. Enjoy!

Image: Daniel Hooper 🌊

We’ll start with one of the most well-known regional terms. if you find yourself on a hot summer’s day in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, or Wisconsin, you can ask someone to point you in the direction of the nearest "bubbler". Rest assured, you are not asking them for champagne or any other type of bubbly drink; they’ll just point you to the closest drinking fountain.

Curiously, a state outside of New England also famously calls their drinking fountains "bubblers". Residents of Portland, Oregon, regularly drink from the iconic "Benson Bubblers", named after philanthropist Simon Benson.

Image: David Todd McCarty

Who knew that bugs could be this tasty? Now, don’t get us wrong: We are strictly speaking of the type of bug someone from New England would recommend. "Bug" is a New England term for the delicious lobster, a true delicacy of the region.

The reason for this nickname is rather obvious: Lobsters and insects share several characteristics. In fact, lobsters belong to the arthropod family, which makes them close relatives of several common insects.

Image: Markus Spiske

In New England, your groceries only travel in the fanciest of rides! While calling shopping carts "carriages" might sound a little silly, it adds a layer of formality and elegance to a mundane trip to the supermarket. It can also be considered a journey back in time: After all, when was the last time the word "carriage" was used in everyday conversation?

So remember: The next time you are shopping in New England, make sure to take a moment to appreciate this quirky term for shopping carts. And please remember to return your carriage after you are done shopping.

Image: Glenn Carstens-Peters

We hesitated to include "clicker" on this list: Anyone who watched TV with their grandparents has heard at least once "Can you pass the clicker?" However, this term is still extremely popular in New England, and you might hear it used to describe a plethora of different devices.

As you might have guessed, the term "clicker" comes from a bygone era when buttons on a remote control made a distinctive clicking sound if pressed. However, the term encompasses every device or gadget that clicks, like a cash register.

Image: Jason Leung

Dungarees, a New England term for blue jeans or denim, definitively sounds too silly to describe such a fashion staple. Jeans have grown to be the common denominator in many different outfits, but don’t expect to hear a designer present their new "dungaree" line at the next Levi’s fashion show.

Now, to be fair, this word is not particularly popular these days; it is mostly an old-fashioned term used by an older generation. Regardless, should you wish to add a little humor to your next visit to New England, be sure to pack a pair of dungarees in your suitcase!

Image: BBiDDac

If Dorothy had traveled to Boston instead of the magical Land of Oz, the Wicked Witch of the West would have been a far more positive character. The New England use of the adjective "wicked" is particularly versatile: It can be used to describe something impressive, or of excellent quality. In fact, the one use of this word that New Englanders don’t regularly employ is the one most commonly found in dictionaries, which is "evil" or "mischievous".

How did this word grow to have such a contrasting definition? No one is completely sure, but most agree that it first appeared in New England vocabulary during the infamous Salem witch trials. However, it seems to have acquired its current positive meaning during the 20th century.

Image: Gary Chan

Let’s once again take an imaginary trip to New England: Imagine you're at the end of a lovely dinner at the home of a New England friend or relative. Now, let’s also say that this person asks you to do them a solid and "run this to the barrel" while handing you a bag.

Not sure how to answer our hypothetical friend? Don’t panic: For starters, they don’t actually exist, but we’ve got you covered. In some New England states, "barrel" is just another term for a trash can.

By the way, always remember to throw your recyclables into the recycling barrel.

Image: Andres Siimon

You would think that something as universal as a rubber band would be known by one universally recognized name. However, New England has another word for this versatile object, despite being ever-present in virtually every office around the world.

Unsurprisingly, that word is "elastic", taken directly from the rubber band’s most important characteristic. While this term might sound old-fashioned, to this day many New Englanders ask someone for "an elastic" when they need to hold some stuff together.

Image: Kelsey Knight

This is the only derogatory term in this list. While the term "flatlander", which describes someone who doesn’t come from New England, isn’t particularly insulting in meaning, it can easily be used to disparage someone visiting the region. Let’s put it this way: You probably don’t want to be called a flatlander in New England.

"Flatlander" also indirectly describes one of New England’s most beautiful sceneries: Its gorgeous hills and mountains. Granted, being called a "flatlander" doesn’t necessarily imply that you live in a flat place: It just describes that you are unaccustomed to the region’s ways.

Image: Content Pixie

Let’s end this article with another fictional visit to New England. Let’s say you want to conclude your trip on a sweet note and decide to order a milkshake. You might be surprised when someone places a drink made from milk and syrup in front of you, instead of the ice-cream-based treat most Americans know and love.

That’s because, in New England, milkshakes are known by an entirely different name. The term "frappe" describes what the rest of the world calls a milkshake. This word comes directly from France: In French, frappé is a term that describes a chilled or iced drink.