Greenland Shark Is World’s Longest-Living Vertebrate With Lifespans to 500 Years

Biological aging isn’t a universal constant. While the longest-lived human in recorded history, Jeanne Calment, reached 122 years and 164 days, several animal species operate on a completely different temporal scale. From the depths of the North Atlantic to the rocky shores of the Pacific, certain organisms have evolved mechanisms that allow them to outlast centuries.

Greenland Sharks and the 150-Year Wait for Maturity

The Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus) stands as the longest-living vertebrate on the planet. Some individuals recorded by scientists reached 400 years, and possibility exists they approach 500 years. Unlike most animals, their metabolism does not diminish as they grow older, though the exact reason for this remains unclear.

This slow-motion existence extends to their reproductive cycle. Females do not reach sexual maturity until approximately 150 years of age. The biological investment in offspring is equally protracted, with pups born alive following a gestation period that can last between 8 and 18 years.

These sharks are the only species of shark capable of living in the Arctic year-round. They aren’t built for speed; they average a swimming pace of 0.34m (1ft 1in) per second relative to their large size.

Bowhead Whales: Mammalian Longevity and DNA Repair

Among mammals, the bowhead whale is the undisputed champion of longevity. These Arctic whales, which do not migrate to feed like other species, can live for over 200 years.

Evidence of their long lives is often found in the form of physical scars from history. Some whales have been spotted with ivory spears still lodged in their bodies from whaling attempts that occurred over 200 years ago. In 2007, a specimen caught off the Alaskan coast was found with an explosive bomb lance manufactured between 1879 and 1885 wedged in its body; that whale was estimated to be between 115 and 130 years old at the time of death.

Scientists believe this lifespan is supported by effective DNA repair processes and the harsh Arctic environment. These mammals reach sexual maturity at roughly 25 years old and can grow to 66 feet in length, weighing up to 100 tons.

The 500-Year Clams and 4,000-Year Corals

Beyond vertebrates, the ocean holds animals with even more extreme lifespans. The ocean quahog clam (Arctica islandica) of the North Atlantic is known for a low aging acceleration, which is further slowed in cold regions. These clams take an average of 8 years to reach maturity.

The most precise record of this longevity comes from a clam named Ming (or Hafrun). Dredged off the coast of Iceland in 2006, Ming was calculated to be 507 years old based on the annual growth lines in its shell, making it the oldest individual animal ever discovered with a precisely determined age.

Even these figures are eclipsed by black corals (Antipatharians), which are marine invertebrates forming colonies of identical polyps. These organisms can live for 4,000 years.

Comparative Longevity Across Species

Longevity often correlates with cold environments and specific physiological adaptations, such as indeterminate growth or specialized DNA repair. For example, the red sea urchin in the Pacific Ocean can exceed 200 years, likely due to its ability to regenerate spines and a mortality rate that does not increase with age.

Animal	Estimated Max Lifespan	Key Longevity Factor
Black Coral	4,000 years	Colonial polyp structure
Ocean Quahog Clam	500+ years	Low aging acceleration / cold water
Greenland Shark	400-500 years	Non-diminishing metabolism
Bowhead Whale	200+ years	DNA repair / Arctic environment
Rougheye Rockfish	200+ years	DNA repair pathways / high pressure
Red Sea Urchin	200+ years	Indeterminate growth
Seychelles Giant Tortoise	190+ years	Terrestrial adaptation

The rougheye rockfish also exceeds 200 years, with its longevity linked to low light, high pressure, and low oxygen levels. A 2021 study in the journal Science noted that Pacific Ocean rockfishes possess DNA repair pathways that may help prevent cancers.

Terrestrial Records and the Seychelles Giant Tortoise

On land, the Seychelles giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea hololissa) holds the record. A tortoise named Jonathan, living on Saint Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean, is 193 as of 2026, making him the oldest-known living land animal. To mark his supposed 190th birthday in 2022, residents provided him with a cake of his favorite foods.

Other tortoises have potentially lived even longer. Adwaita, an Aldabra giant tortoise that died in 2006, is believed to have reached 255 years, though this specific figure remains unconfirmed.

The survival of these animals often hinges on human intervention. The Seychelles giant tortoise population plummeted following the arrival of European settlers and non-native species, but current restoration efforts are helping their numbers grow again.