The animal world is diverse and beautiful! Long-living animals live a rather eventful life and even a whole history! For example, a tortoise, who saw more than 28 governors during its life, or an elephant, who was honored to become an honorary citizen of the country in which he lived. Or maybe a long-lived carp, a pet passed down from generation to generation! We have compiled for you a top of the oldest species in the world.
1. Macaw parrot, over 100 years old
A blue-and-yellow macaw named Charlie lived in the UK at Reigate Garden Centre. The last owner of the bird, Peter Oram, acquired it in 1965. There were rumors that Charlie had previously belonged to Winston Churchill himself, which led to considerable press interest in the parrot. But Churchill's daughter disproved this myth, saying that her father's parrot was not a given macaw at all.
2. Sea sponge of impressive size is at least 1000 years old
This species from the depths of the ocean impresses with its gigantic size. Namely, 3.7 meters long and 2.1 meters wide. Just imagine! It is impossible to estimate the exact age of the sponge that lived at a depth of 2100 meters, but scientists suggest it is more than 1000 years old, although even more is possible. After all, sponges have been living in these parts for more than 2300 years.
3. Greenland shark
The oldest animal among vertebrates, recorded by scientists, has reached the age of 392 ± 120 years. That is, the age of this shark is 272-512 years. Such calculations are based on the fact that the length of this shark has reached 5 meters, and predators grow by about 1 cm per year.
4. Oldest known turtle
The giant tortoise Jonathan from Saint Helena in the Atlantic Ocean lives in the governor's residence. In 2008, the tortoise was reported to be at least 176 years old. The conclusion was made on the basis of photographs of the Second Boer War. That is, today Jonathan should already be 189 years old. The famous male tortoise is even depicted on the back of Saint Helena's fivepence coin.
5. The famous Asian elephant Lin Wang, 86 years old
During the Second Sino-Japanese War he served in the Chinese Expeditionary Force. The elephant was used to transport various cargoes and transport tools, at the end of the war - for the construction of monuments and performances in the circus to help the starving in Hunan province. The elephant spent the rest of his life in Taiwan, where he became the most famous animal. He was awarded the title of "Honorary Citizen of Taipei".
6. The oldest koi in the world at 226 years old
Carp live on average 15 years, and in Japan, they can live up to 40-70 years. But the red-orange female koi Hanako broke all possible records! The age of a carp can be calculated by the number of rings on the scales, one ring is added every year of life. Professor Hiro spent two months calculating Hanako's age. Carp went to its owner from his grandmother, and she got it from her ancestors.
7. Albatros Wisdom
It is the oldest female albatross living in the wild and the oldest ringed bird. It is difficult to calculate the exact age of the albatross, but according to rough estimates, the bird is 98 years old. The bird laid the last egg at the age of 67 years. A unique story about the long life and successful breeding of birds of this age.
8. Alligator Mooja
A resident of one of the zoos in Serbia is the oldest Alligator in captivity. The long-liver survived the Second World War, which practically destroyed the zoo and the NATO bombing. It is believed that he hatched before 1936.
9. Horse named Old Billy
The average life expectancy of horses is 25-30 years, some of them live up to 40. The record among horses was broken by a horse named Old Billy from Lancashire, having lived 62 years. The horse participated in towing barges until 1819. The skull of the horse is preserved in the Manchester Museum, and the effigy of the head is an exhibit at the Belford Museum.
10. A 507-year-old clam was washed up on the coast of Iceland
It is named the oldest among animals that did not live in colonies. The age of the ancient mollusk was found by counting the rings on the cross-section of its shell. The species was named Ming, after the Chinese dynasty that ruled in the year of its birth.
