The longest-lived vertebrates on Earth are considered to be Greenland sharks, which grow slowly in the cold waters of the Arctic. Their age reaches about 400 years, and according to some data, over 500.
However, there are even more long-lived organisms. For example, deep-sea sponges can exist for over 2300 years.
A special place is held by the immortal jellyfish, which has the ability to rejuvenate: after being damaged, it returns to its juvenile stage and essentially does not biologically age.
Among solitary animals, the record belongs to the ocean quahog (Arctica islandica), whose age reached 507 years. Many long-lived species demonstrate mechanisms that prevent the development of cancer cells — such as the Greenland shark, which can live for over two centuries.
On land, the title of the oldest goes to a giant Seychelles tortoise named Jonathan, who is over 190 years old.
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