The oldest animal known to science is a species of clam called the ocean quahog (Arctica islandica). The species can live to be over 500 years old. The oldest known individual, named Ming, was dredged up from the ocean floor off the coast of Iceland in 2006 and was determined to be over 507 years old. The age of Ming was determined by counting the growth rings on the clam’s shell, similar to counting tree rings to determine its age.
It’s also worth noting that there are other organisms that can have a much longer lifespan such as certain species of coral, that can live for thousands of years and some species of jellyfish that are biologically immortal, meaning they can live indefinitely.
The ocean quahog (Arctica islandica) is a species of clam that lives in the North Atlantic Ocean. It is a bivalve mollusk, which means it has two shells that are hinged together. The species is known for its ability to live for a very long time, with some individuals living over 500 years. The age of the clam is determined by counting the growth rings on its shell, similar to counting tree rings to determine a tree’s age.
It’s also worth noting that the ocean quahog are not only known for their longevity, but also their resilience to environmental change, they can survive in low oxygen and low light conditions.
As for other organisms, some species of coral, such as the Porites coral, can live for thousands of years and some species of jellyfish, such as the Turritopsis dohrnii, are biologically immortal, meaning they can live indefinitely. They are capable of reverting back to a younger stage of development after reaching maturity, thus avoiding aging and death
