Aging is a natural process, but for our animal friends, it's more than just a natural process; it also means a nightmare, as predators are more likely to hunt slow-moving, old, and weak prey. Compared to other animals, pets living in superior conditions and animals in zoos are more likely to live longer. Below is a list of the top ten longest-living animals in the animal kingdom, including the longest-living cats, dogs, fish, and spiders.
1. The longest-living tortoise is 255 years old.
Longest-living turtle
Giant tortoises, found in the Galapagos Islands, Seychelles, Java, Flores Island in Indonesia, and other islands, are among the most famous long-lived animals. These slow-moving but exceptionally majestic creatures were once quite common on the mainland, but now they survive only on islands where mammals are scarce.
The current record holder for the oldest giant tortoise is a male Aldabra giant tortoise named Adwaita, weighing 550 pounds (approximately 250 kilograms), who was originally given as a gift to Lord Clive (born in 1725 and died in 1774). British sailors captured Adwaita and three other tortoises in the Seychelles Islands near Madagascar.
Adevita was estimated to have been born around 1750. From 1875 until its death on March 23, 2006, it lived at the Alipurai Zoo in Kolkata, India. Subsequent carbon dating of Adevita's shell confirmed that this giant tortoise lived to be approximately 255 years old.
"Respect and treat the elderly with kindness"—this ancient adage applies to both humans and animals. Thanks to increasingly advanced modern medical technology, the number of centenarians is constantly increasing across all species. This means that the longevity records listed in this article will eventually be broken. And that's exactly what we hope to see.
2. The longest-lived carp lived to be 226 years old.
Longest-living carp
In a contest of longevity with a fish, elephants, cats, dogs, birds, and even horses all lost out, reaching an almost unbelievable age. You might think it's a shark, sturgeon, or a giant catfish, but the real answer is a carp. Carp are close relatives of goldfish, especially famous for the carp living in the fishponds of Japanese temples. One of its inhabitants, named "Hanako," lived an astonishing 226 years. Hanako was born in 1751 and died on July 17, 1977.
Scientists have found irrefutable evidence that Hanako was indeed incredibly long-lived. Like trees, fish scales also have growth rings. After Hanako's death, scientists carefully examined its scales, ultimately confirming the authenticity of the temple's records—that this extraordinary carp had indeed witnessed 226 years of geological, climatic, and human history. The second photograph, taken in 1966, shows the incredible carp, Hanako. A series of significant events occurred during Hanako's lifetime, including the birth of former US President James Madison, the founding of Georgetown, Maryland, and the discovery and description of nickel.
3. The longest-living elephant was 86 years old.
Longest-living elephant
Elephants are generally considered the longest-living land mammals after humans, with the vast majority living to 70 years old. However, longevity is also a misfortune for elephants. The oldest elephants usually have the largest and longest tusks, making them easy targets for hunters. The recorded lifespan of an elephant family is 86 years, set by Lín Wàng. This centenarian was born in 1917 and died on February 26, 2003. Lín Wàng served in Chiang Kai-shek's army and the Japanese army, and was transported to Taiwan after the fall of the Kuomintang.
The second picture shows Vatsala, a female Indian elephant living in the Bena Tiger Sanctuary in India, who is a candidate for the title of the world's oldest living elephant. Her keepers estimate that she is over 90 years old. Vatsala was brought to the sanctuary in 1971; at that time, her tusks were no longer present, indicating that she was likely over 50 years old.
4. The longest-living bird was 77 years old.
Longest-living bird
Birds typically live to be over 60 years old, with some, including parrots, vultures, albatrosses, and eagles, potentially exceeding 100 years. A Turkish vulture topped the list of longest-lived birds published in the Cook County Forest Preserve in Illinois, USA, at 118 years old, though there is no conclusive evidence to support this claim. We shouldn't be too surprised by the longevity of birds, as they are close relatives of long-lived reptiles such as sea turtles and tortoises.
In 1933, Cookie, a one-year-old Major Mitchell cockatoo, settled in the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. She is widely recognized as the world's longest-living living bird, now 77 years old. Due to the strain of public appearances, Cookie is now semi-retired. In 2007, Cookie was diagnosed with osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, likely a result of her initial 40 years of being fed only seeds. The vast majority of Major Mitchell cockatoos in captivity live between 40 and 60 years, making Cookie's longevity a remarkable achievement.
5. Longest-lived horse: 62 years old
Longest-lived horse
Horses are undoubtedly fortunate; they enjoy excellent diets and can live with their companions, allowing them to live for decades. The vast majority of horses live between 20 and 25 years. Considering that most thoroughbreds participating in major horse races such as the Kentucky Derby are only 3 years old, 20 years is still a long time.
Old Billy is the oldest living horse on record. Born in 1760, he lived to be 62 years old. Old Billy's early life was quite arduous, serving as a barge puller for cargo ships, leaving its mark on many of England's inland canals. His early hard work did not affect his lifespan; he lived to the age of 62, a fact that surprised everyone.
6. The longest-lived goldfish lived to be 43 years old.
Longest-living goldfish
Between polar bears (whose lifespan is recorded at 42 years) and goldfish, who lives longer? Many people would choose polar bears, but the real answer is goldfish. Reports indicate that goldfish can live into their 40s. Many goldfish can grow old alongside their owners after being brought home by their children. To extend a goldfish's lifespan as much as possible, owners need to provide them with a larger tank than a small one, and their diet should be varied and not monotonous.
Retirement is often referred to as the "golden years," but it seems somewhat unfair and ironic that our hair turns silver as we enter this golden age. The same is true for goldfish; their scales also turn silver as they age. According to the BBC, a comet goldfish named "Tish" died peacefully in its tank at the age of 43. Tish became a member of the Hand family in Yorkshire, England, in 1956, won by 7-year-old Peter Hand at a local playground.
7. Longest-lived cat: 38 years old
Some famous "old cats"
The cat-dog rivalry is always fierce, but in the contest of lifespan, cats have the edge. This may be attributed to their more leisurely nature or their way of coping with domestic life. Cats can easily live into their 30s, and some unconfirmed reports even suggest they can live into their 40s. The first picture shows some famous "old cats," from left to right clockwise: 27-year-old Mischief, 36-year-old Tizzie, 25-year-old Jess, and 31-year-old Spike.
The longest-living cat, "Creme Puff"
According to the 2007 Guinness World Records, the title of the oldest living cat was held by "Creme Puff." This female tabby cat was born on August 3, 1967, and died on August 6, 2005, at the age of 38 years and 3 days. Although there are many reports of long-lived cats in the UK, Creme Puff was not from England; she lived with her owner, Jack Perry, and his family in Austin, Texas, USA.
8. Longest-lived dog: 29 years old
Longest-living dog
Bluey, an Australian Cattle Dog, is the longest-lived dog on record. Born in June 1910, he died on November 14, 1939. Bluey could have lived much longer, but suffering from an unknown chronic illness, his owner, unable to bear seeing him suffer, decided to send him to heaven early. Most Cattle Dogs live between 12 and 15 years and are known for their hard work on farms. At the time of his death, Bluey was 29 years and 5 months old, equivalent to approximately 206 human years.
Surprisingly, no dog has been able to break Bruni's longevity record in the past 70 years. The last picture shows the longest-living dogs after Bruni: Bella (top), 29 years old; Chanel (top left), 21 years and 114 days old; and Otto (top right), 20 years and 334 days old.
9. Longest-lived spider: 28 years old
Longest-living spider
Insects are the short-lived creatures of the animal kingdom; some only live for about a day after reaching adulthood. Spiders are not insects, but as arthropods, they share many insect-like characteristics. Surprisingly, one remarkable member of the spider family is also a long-lived individual, a lifespan that would surely frustrate many who cannot tolerate these hairy little creatures.
Most people can imagine that an ordinary spider can live for weeks, months, or even longer, but what about 28 years? A female bird spider captured in Mexico in 1935 finally made this seemingly impossible thing a reality. The female bird spider's longevity may be attributed to its diet of feeding on birds.
10. The longest-living rabbit was nearly 19 years old.
Longest-living rabbit
The Rabbit Society states that indoor rabbits typically live between 6 and 8 years, while outdoor caged rabbits often have shorter lifespans, possibly due to environmental factors. However, many famous rabbits have lived to be over 14 years old. The longest-living rabbit to date was a wild rabbit captured on August 6, 1964, in Tasmania, Australia. This centenarian was later named "Flopsy" and became a pet. After being captured, Flopsy lived for another 18 years and 10.75 months, making him nearly 19 years old.
Guinness World Records sometimes awards certificates to the oldest living rabbit. This record is only changed when Fropsey dies, as he will no longer be a "living rabbit" by then. The last picture shows three former record holders for the oldest living rabbit: 14-year-old George, 15-16-year-old Heather, and 16-year-old Hazel, in clockwise order.
