In the world there are a great many animals - domestic and wild, known or not yet known to science. Every year, scientists discover any new species, and some representatives of the fauna die out. In total, according to scientific sources, there are more than one and a half million species on the planet. Differs - sometimes at times - the life expectancy of different animals living on the ground and under water. Let's compare just some of the data.
Mollusks
The longest lifespan of animals recorded in the environment of mollusks. Well, really, Methuselah century! The oceanic venus found off the coast of Iceland (2007) at a depth of eighty meters has lived for more than 400 years. Scientists have identified his years on the lines on the shell (like rings on a section of a tree trunk). The animal, "remembering" ancient eras, was nicknamed Ming, in honor of the ruling dynasty of emperors, which was in power in China when it was born. And the previous record also belonged to one mollusk, who lived 374 years.
Sea bass
Despite the commercial importance of this species of fish, some individuals live long enough - up to 200 years. Such specimens were found in the Pacific Ocean at a depth of up to 500 meters. The thing is that this fish grows very slowly, it later becomes sexually mature. And, as a result: a significant life expectancy (of course, if the ubiquitous fishermen do not have time to catch it).
Sea urchin and others
The life span of different animals, as a rule, is largely determined by their habitat. So among marine and oceanic species quite a lot of centenarians. A red sea urchin, for example, if it succeeds, can live up to 200 years. In general, this ancient animal has been living in the depths of the sea for 450 million years.
Greenland whales also live more than two hundred years. The oldest known person is 245! They are joined by koi carps, the oldest caught - 226 years old (although the average age of the species does not exceed 50).
Turtles
The life expectancy of different animals depends on their lifestyle. So turtles are well known for their advanced years and can rightfully be included in the list of long-livers of fauna. The oldest known land tortoise reached the age of 250 years.
Eternal
Sponges, which are also animals according to the corresponding classification, provide their longevity with low mobility and extremely slow growth. The Antarctic sponge, studied by scientists, has lived for more than one and a half thousand years!
And one of the types of jellyfish, as it became known recently, has virtually no age. Since the animal at a certain period of its development can “turn back the clock”, returning to the “teenage” stage of the polyp and begin to develop again. Thus, these instances are potentially immortal.
Wildlife animals
And what about the representatives of the wild fauna?
- As a rule, the optimal life expectancy of different animals of the mammalian class is limited to 100 years or less. Longer - only some whales and elephants. Horses can live more than 50 years. The brown bear, on average, lives up to 45 years, and small rodents - only a few years.
- Some insects live their whole lives for a day. These include mayflies or, for example, moths butterflies (here the score generally goes for minutes). The bees uterus lives up to 5 years, and simple working bees - up to forty days (here it really is: class injustice)! Some bugs live for three years. But female ants, for example, are able to live up to 15 years (males - a few days).
- Among reptiles there are species that creep for a very long time. Everyone knows that these are turtles. Small species of reptiles live, as a rule, no more than three years. Large snakes - up to 25. Iguanas - more than 50.
- Crows, from representatives of many species of birds, can live in captivity for up to 40-50 years. The average life of passerines is up to 20, gulls - 17, owls - up to 15, pigeons - 12.
Pet life span
It often depends on the conditions of the animals. Their proper feeding and compliance with the daily routine. Roughly speaking, the life span of pets depends on how a person takes care of them, taming.
- Some domestic chickens can live up to 30 (but who will give them)! The average duration of cows, according to livestock breeders, is up to 30 years. Bulls live less - up to 20. Horses in good conditions can stay up to 50-60! But usually they do not live to 30.
- Of the pets: rabbits - 12 years old, hamsters - 3 years old, and mice - 2 years old, rats - up to 5. In dogs, life expectancy is radically dependent on the breed. On average, from 7 to 15. Some cats live to 25 (usually up to 15 years).
