Earth is home to millions of living species, each with its own unique characteristics, adaptations and lifespans. Some organisms live for only a few hours or days, while others can survive for centuries or even millennia. The longevity of living things depends on various factors, such as genetics, environment, metabolism and reproduction.
But what are the oldest living things on Earth? How old are they and where can they be found? What are the secrets behind their remarkable survival? In this blog post, we will explore the top 10 oldest living things on Earth, based on the web search results from Bing. We will focus on individual organisms, not clonal colonies or networked systems, which can be much older but are more difficult to define and measure.
1. Antarctic Glass Sponge
Estimated age: 15,000 years
Location: Antarctica
Description: The Antarctic glass sponge is a type of marine animal that lives in the cold and dark waters of the Southern Ocean. It has a skeleton made of silica, which gives it a glass-like appearance. It feeds on microorganisms that it filters from the water using its pores. It grows very slowly, about one centimeter per year, and can reach up to two meters in height.
2. Great Basin Bristlecone Pine
Estimated age: 5,067 years
Location: California, USA
Description: The Great Basin bristlecone pine is a type of coniferous tree that grows in the high mountains of western North America. It has a twisted and gnarled trunk, with needles that can last up to 40 years. It can survive in harsh conditions, such as drought, cold and wind. It is also resistant to insects and diseases. It is the oldest known non-clonal tree in the world.
3. Methuselah Tree
Estimated age: 4,850 years
Location: California, USA
Description: The Methuselah tree is another example of the Great Basin bristlecone pine species. It was named after the biblical figure who lived for 969 years. It is located in the Inyo National Forest, but its exact location is kept secret to protect it from vandalism and damage. It was once thought to be the oldest living tree in the world, until another bristlecone pine was discovered to be older.
4. Llareta
Estimated age: 3,000 years
Location: Chile
Description: The llareta is a type of flowering plant that belongs to the same family as parsley and carrots. It grows in the dry and rocky areas of the Andes mountains. It looks like a giant mossy cushion, but it is actually composed of thousands of tiny branches that are densely packed together. It grows very slowly, about one and a half centimeters per year, and can reach up to three meters in diameter.
5. Siberian Actinobacteria
Estimated age: 400,000 – 600,000 years
Location: Siberia, Russia
Description: The Siberian actinobacteria are a type of microorganism that live in the permafrost soil of Siberia. They are among the oldest living organisms ever discovered, dating back to the Pleistocene epoch. They are able to survive in extremely cold and low-oxygen conditions, by entering a state of dormancy or suspended animation. They can also repair their own DNA damage caused by radiation or freezing.
6. Antarctic Moss
Estimated age: 5,500 years
Location: Antarctica
Description: The Antarctic moss is a type of plant that grows in the ice-free regions of Antarctica. It forms dense mats of green or red-brown color, that can cover large areas of land. It can withstand freezing temperatures, strong winds and low moisture levels. It grows very slowly, about one millimeter per year, and can regenerate from old or dead parts.
7. La Llareta
Estimated age: 2,000 years
Location: Chile
Description: The La Llareta tree is a type of cypress tree that grows in the Atacama Desert of Chile. It is one of the oldest living trees in the world, and one of the few that can survive in such a dry and hostile environment. It has a thick and resinous bark, that protects it from dehydration and fire. It also has a deep and extensive root system, that allows it to access underground water sources.
8. Jōmon Sugi
Estimated age: 2,000 – 7,000 years
Location: Japan
Description: The Jōmon Sugi is a type of cedar tree that grows on the island of Yakushima in Japan. It is the oldest and largest tree on the island, and one of the oldest in the world. It has a massive trunk, that measures up to 16 meters in circumference, and a height of about 25 meters. It is named after the Jōmon period of Japanese history, which lasted from 14,000 to 300 BC.
9. Greenland Shark
Estimated age: 272 – 512 years
Location: Arctic and North Atlantic oceans
Description: The Greenland shark is a type of shark that lives in the cold and deep waters of the Arctic and North Atlantic oceans. It is one of the largest living species of shark, reaching up to seven meters in length and weighing up to one ton. It is also one of the longest living vertebrates on Earth, with an estimated lifespan of several centuries. It grows very slowly, about one centimeter per year, and reaches sexual maturity at about 150 years old.
Source: [Greenland shark may live 400 years, smashing longevity record – Science | AAAS]
10. Bowhead Whale
Estimated age: 211 years
Location: Arctic Ocean
Description: The bowhead whale is a type of baleen whale that lives in the Arctic Ocean. It is one of the heaviest animals on Earth, weighing up to 100 tons and measuring up to 20 meters in length. It is also one of the longest living mammals on Earth, with an average lifespan of over 200 years. It has a thick layer of blubber, that helps it survive in the freezing waters. It also has a large and curved head, that allows it to break through the ice.
These are the top 10 oldest living things on Earth. These organisms have survived for thousands or even millions of years, adapting to various changes and challenges in their environments. They are remarkable examples of the diversity, resilience and beauty of life on our planet.