Given the fact that many cultures are obsessed with immature age, it's no surprise that the mythical Fountain of Youth is a popular theme in tales and legends across the world. Yet, we are nonetheless searching for the elixir of life!

Interestingly, life expectancy across the world ranges from 61 years to 78 years. Co-ordinate to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, life expectancy in the U.s.a. is around 78.6 years.

Still, the life span of some animals and plants is extraordinary. For example, the Great Basin bristlecone pine in the American West is more than than 5,000 years one-time. Utah'southward Pando aspen grove, on the other manus, is the largest and oldest living organism, which is more than 80,000 years old.

So, here are 11 of the longest-living animals that defy all logic and brand us question time. Some are practically immortal, so information technology's time to show some respect to the elderly!

11 Red Ocean Urchins Are Practically Immortal

A diver near sea urchins.
www.hakaimagazine.com

While people's life expectancy is between 61 and 71 years, some body of water creatures are practically immortal. The red bounding main urchin, in particular, tin can alive for more than 200 years. This beautiful spiky creature can be institute but in the Pacific Ocean, mainly forth the West Declension of the US, equally reported past MNN. Hither we should note that body of water urchins all over the globe are edible.

10 The Oldest Bowhead Whale Was 211 Years Quondam

A bowhead whale swimming under ice.
http://www.wwf.ca

Whales are amazing mammals, and so it's no surprise that whale watching is a popular activity around the world. The bowhead whale, in particular, is 1 of the longest living animals; in fact, ane of the oldest bowhead whales was more than 211 years former. According to Earth Wild Life, these mammals are amid the few mammals that live mainly in the Arctic seas. Sadly, bowhead whales are endangered.

9 Koi Fish Can Alive For More Than Two Centuries

Koi fish at the Portland Japanese Garden.
japanesegarden.org

If you recollect that an ornamental fish can't outlive y'all, think twice! Koi are domesticated species that tin alive for more two centuries. According to MNN, the oldest koi, Hanako, died at the age of 226. If you lot desire to buy koi for your cute pond, accept in heed that in feng shui, the spirit of koi brings good luck and happiness.

8 Tortoises Are The Longest Living Vertebrates On Earth

A man interacting with a tortoise in the wild.
world wide web.jasonflower.co.u.k.

Tortoises are amazing land-abode creatures. Believe it or non, tortoises are the vertebrates with the longest life bridge on World. One of the oldest ones, Adwaita, died at the age of 250. Another beautiful Galapagos reptile lady, Harriet, died at the age of 175. Interestingly, Harriet was the final representative of the tortoises that Charles Darwin saw during his epic journey in 1835!

7 The Immortal Turritopsis Nutricula Jellyfish Has Found The Fountain Of Youth

An immortal jellyfish in the ocean.
reddit.com

Looking for the Fountain of Youth? Perhaps the only creatures that have discovered the secret to eternal life are the Turritopsis Nutricula jellyfish. These species can bicycle from a mature state to an young one, and so there's no limit to their life bridge and they can featherbed expiry. No surprise that scientists consider the Turritopsis Nutricula immortal; these creatures are, in fact, silently invading oceans across the globe.

6 The African Elephant Has A Lifespan Of 70 Years

An African elephant with her two calves.
theconversation.com

Elephants are among the cutest and longest living creatures on Earth. Elephants in the wild, for case, can alive up to seventy years in the wild. Co-ordinate to Animals Mom, though, elephants in the wild live longer than elephants in zoos. African elephants, on the other hand, alive longer than their Asian cousins. Interestingly, elephants carry their babies for more than 22 months; and elephant calves weigh more than 200 pounds.

5 The Oldest Antarctic Sponge Is More Than 1,550 Years Onetime

An Antarctic sponge found at the bottom of the ocean.
quora.com

Sea sponges are curious creatures that tin can alive for hundreds of years. According to the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition, sponges are slap-up survivors that have been around for 600 million years. Information technology's believed that due to the low temperatures in the Southern ocean, the Antarctic sponge grows at a dull rate and tin alive for ages. The oldest known to scientific discipline, for case, are more than 1,550 years sometime.

4 Tuataras Are Living Fossils

A close-up of a tuatara.
wikipedia.com

If you remember that it's impossible to encounter a dinosaur, retrieve twice. No, we are not talking about talented Mick Jagger! Just visit Kiwiland and meet New Zealand's astonishing tuataras. Tuataras are considered living fossils and tin live betwixt 100 and 200 years. Note that living fossils are creatures that resemble ancient species and have remained unchanged for millions of years.

iii Geoducks Alive For Over 16o Years

A person holding a geoduck.
mnetalfloss.com

Practice you consider yourself a foodie? Possibly seafood lovers take heard of geoducks (pronounced gooey-ducks) and their long necks. Geoducks are edible clams that live off the western declension of Canada and the U.s.a.. These creatures can live for more than 160 years. Here we should note that another long-living species of clam is the body of water quahog; according to MNN, some body of water quahogs are more than 400 years sometime.

2 Macaws Can Live Upwardly To eighty Years

A macaw eating.
nytimes.com

Macaws too live a long fourth dimension, between 30 and 50 years. Interestingly, they live around 30 years in the wild and more fifty years in zoos or privates homes. According to Animals Mom, the oldest macaw was reported to be 112 years sometime. Sadly, macaws tend to outlive their owners, which can get a problem as these beautiful birds get attached to simply one person and would not class a relationship with another human.

i The Greenland Shark Is One Of The Longest-Living Creatures

A Greenland shark swimming in the ocean.
britannica.com

Hidden in the night and cold waters of the Arctic Body of water, the Greenland shark is a living mystery. Interestingly, this shark lives at greater depths compared to other sharks and enjoys the aroma of rotting meat. Believe it or not, the Greenland shark is the longest-living vertebrae known to science. Researchers conducted radiocarbon testing and ended that Greenland sharks live at least 272 years.

NEXT: twenty Photos Of Prehistoric Sharks And Ocean Creatures That Give The states Chills