Do you know the secret to living a long life?

Humans may live longer than ever. And usually, they would share their secrets, like eating healthily, exercising, and having a positive outlook on life. But whether you believe these theories or not, one thing is for sure; humans have that serious catching up compared to the lifespans of other marine animals.

Interestingly, sea creatures could live hundreds or even thousands of years beneath the waves. Without further ado, meet these sea creatures that have had more birthdays than any other creature on Earth.

List of Sea Creatures that could live longer than 100 Years

Greenland Sharks

First on our list are Greenland sharks. They live on cold surfaces, like the Atlantic waters of Iceland, Greenland, and the Arctic. They are usually described as dinosaurs on Earth and could live about 300-500 years.

These sharks just broke a record recently, as Scientists discovered a female Greenland shark that ages 400 years old. She set a new record as the oldest living vertebrate.

Longfin Eel

Surprisingly, Eels are long in the tooth. Many of them lived more than 50 years in the wild. This is mainly because of the slow rate at which they grow. In fact, Longfin Eels don’t reach full maturity quickly, unlike other sea creatures.

The Longfin species is just a perfect example of the longevity of eels. They are native to New Zealand and Australia. And even if their growth is slow, they have an average lifespan of 60 years. But then, there’s the oldest known eel that reached 106 years old. More than a century!

It’s just so amazing to know that despite their simple design and anatomy, they may sometime outlive humans.

Related Posts

• Layers of the Rainforest – Amazon Jungle Layers
• Mother Nature is Dying | Scary Realities of Mother Nature
• Scariest African Tribes You Don’t Want to Meet

Ocean Quahogs (Clams) 

Ocean Quahogs, or what we have known as clams, are one of the longest-living sea creatures or marine organisms. They are species of the edible clam, the marine bivalve mollusk. They are usually found in the Atlantic, with a lifespan of 200-500 years.

And did you know that at 507 years old, Ming the clam broke a world record as the oldest sea creature or animal in the world? Ming was born in 1499 and died in 2006 when it scoured off the coast of Iceland.

Red Sea Urchin 

Even if they look inactive, sea urchins are very much alive. Their impressive spiny shells characterize them. Sea urchins may look like weird sea creatures that live at overwhelming depths – with red sea urchins being among the longest-living species.

They are, in fact, natives of the Pacific Ocean, mainly in North America. They have an average lifespan of about 200 years, which means they’re as old as the country they live.

Wanna know a secret? For sea urchins to live, they only consume less energy. They even take everything slow, at which they develop and grow.

Black Coral 

Black Corals have an estimated lifespan of about 70 years. Yet in 2009, a discovered deep-water species was discovered that scientists estimate to be around 4,000 years old.

The Coral Polyps also belonged to the group known as an invertebrate called Cnidaria. Other sea creatures in this group include sea anemones and jellyfish.

Rougheye Rockfish 

This next sea creature is a golden oldie. Rougheye Rockfish is usually confused with Shortraker Rockfish and may grow to more than 3 feet or 1m long. They can weigh up to 6.3 kg. It is a fish that refuse to die at such a young age. In fact, this impressive sea creature could live as long as 205 years. That’s why they are among the longest-lived fishes in the world.

You can find them in coastal waters, and they usually live at depths between 500 and 1,500 feet. The Rougheye Rockfish are found near the seafloor around crevices and caves.

Deep-Sea Sponge 

You probably think that we are bending the meaning of ‘creature’ here, yet the Deep-Sea Sponges are very much alive. And yes, they grow and become old.

In fact, according to studies, sea creatures like deep-sea sponges may reach thousands of years already. The oldest example has an estimate to have reached 11,000 years old! Imagine that. Yet, their average lifespan could be more than 2,000 years, which means they have been around since the Romans’ time.

They grow at great depths and form extensive, usually complex structures. The structures attract the attention of their prey, the plankton. As to their size, some deep-sea sponges are about the size of a car.

Immortal Jellyfish 

The term ‘immortal’ gets mentioned many times in superhero movies. However, until recently, the idea of everlasting life was nothing more than fiction. The immortal jellyfish is no bigger than half a centimetre. They are found in seas across the world and are classified as immortal.

Like the cnidarians, it comes in 2 forms; the hydroid and medusa. They have a unique ability to revert the younger polyp form upon reaching its fully grown state.

They are found mostly in tropical waters, and wanna know their secret? For them to have that eternal life, it lies in their ability to return to sexual immaturity. It’s when they clone themselves. Provided their seemingly amazing lifespan, the immortal jellyfish is known as one of the world’s important species for pharmaceutical and biological research.

Glass Sponge 

Last, on the list, glass sponges are sea creatures usually found in deep oceans as they are attached to the sea floor for the rest of their lives. They grew in many sizes and shapes and were believed to be extinct about 40 million years ago. However, in 1987, scientists discovered a 9,000-year-old glass sponge in Canada – the only reef of their kind.

Related Posts

• China’s Contribution to Nature – How China has Changed the Ecosystem by Making a Desert into a Forest?
• 10 Facts – Natural Warning Signs of a Tsunami

Wrapping Up 

There you have it, the list of sea creatures that live longer than 100 years. It’s truly mind-blowing to know these creatures’ lifespans. Scientists also say that there are still thousands of creatures in the ocean that are yet to be discovered.