Top 10 Animals with the longest life span

There are tortoises alive today that were 25 to 50 years old when Charles Darwin was born. There are whales swimming the oceans with 200-year-old ivory spear points embedded in their flesh. There are cold-water sponges that were filter-feeding during the days of the Roman Empire. In fact, there are a number of creatures with life spans that make the oldest living human seem like a spring chicken in comparison. Here's our list of the 10 animals with the longest life spans.

10. Geoducks

First on the list are these large saltwater clams that are native to the Puget Sound and have been known to live for at least 160 years. They are characterized by their long 'necks', or siphons, which can grow to more than 1 meter long.

9. Tuatara

The word "dinosaur" is commonly used to describe an old person, but when it refers to a tuataras, the term is as literal as it is metaphorical. The two species of tuatara alive today are the only surviving members of an order that flourished about 200 million years ago — they are living dinosaurs. They are also among the longest-lived vertebrates on Earth, with some individuals living for between 100 and 200 years.

8. Lamellibrachia tube worms

These colorful deep sea creatures are tube worms (L. luymesi) that live along hydrocarbon vents on the ocean floor. They have been known to live 170 years, but many scientists believe there may be some that have lived for more than 250 years.

7. Red sea urchins

The red sea urchin or Strongylocentrotus franciscanus is found only in the Pacific Ocean, primarily along the West Coast of North America. It lives in shallow, sometimes rocky, waters from the low-tide line down to to 90 meters, but they stay out of extremely wavy areas. They crawl along the ocean floor, using their spines as stilts . If you discover one, remember to respect your elders — some specimens are more than 200 years old.

6. Bowhead whales

Also known as the Arctic whale, the bowhead is by far the longest living mammal on Earth. Some bowhead whales have been found with the tips of ivory spears still lodged in their flesh from failed attempts by whalers 200 years ago. The oldest known bowhead whale was at least 211 years old.

5. Koi

Koi are an ornamental, domesticated variety of the common carp. The are common in artificial rock pools and decorative ponds. Amazingly, some varieties are capable of living more than 200 years. The oldest known koi was Hanako, a fish that died at the age of 226 on July 7, 1977.

4. Tortoises

Tortoises are considered the longest living vertebrates on Earth. One of their oldest known representatives was Harriet, a Galápagos tortoise that died of heart failure at the age of 175 years in June 2006 at a zoo owned by the late Steve Irwin. Harriet was considered the last living representative of Darwin's epic voyage on the HMS Beagle. An Aldabra giant tortoise named Adwaita died at the rumored age of 250 in March 2006.

3. Ocean quahog

The ocean quahog (Arctica islandica) is a species of clam that is exploited commercially. Researchers have interpreted the dark concentric rings or bands on the shell as annual marks , much like a tree has rings. Some collected specimens have been calculated to be more than 400 years old.

2. Antarctic sponge

Perhaps due to the extremely low temperatures of the Antarctic Ocean, this immobile creature has an extremely slow growth rate. Some estimate the oldest known specimens are 1,550 years old.

1. Turritopsis nutricula jellyfish

This species of jellyfish might be the only animal in the world to have truly discovered the fountain of youth. Since it is capable of cycling from a mature adult stage to an immature polyp stage and back again, there may be no natural limit to its life span. Because they are able to bypass death, the number of individuals is spiking. "We are looking at a worldwide silent invasion," says Dr.Maria Miglietta of the Smithsonian Tropical Marine Institute.

Top 10 Animals Eaten In Other Countries

Americans love their meat, like a whole hell of a lot. But only certain kinds of meat; when news broke that the Department of Agriculture was to approve a horse meat processing plant, people got upset. Yes, slaughterhouse conditions for other common livestock is horrendous, and horses are “companion animals,” but it’s not uncommon for various countries to breed horses for human consumption.

But hey, if you think horse meat is an oddball delicacy, wait until you what else is considered a relatively common main course in other countries. Vegetarians beware…

10. Turtles 

Everyone’s heard of turtle soup, and everyone’s also heard that some turtles are carriers of salmonella. But as with every pet (or entrée in this case,) if proper care and cleaning techniques are used, turtles can be consumed. And if you have an adventurous palate, there are a number of gourmet turtle recipes online waiting to delight your taste buds.

Though popular in Central America and Asia (sea turtle eggs are considered a prized aphrodisiac ), turtles are a staple of traditional Chinese medicine , believed to moisten, enrich, and nourish the kidneys and blood, as well as ease menopausal symptoms. That’s right, menopausal symptoms.

9. Emus 

Emus are known for several things: being the second-largest bird in the world, being native to Australia, and having an incredibly fun-to-say name. But according to emu connoisseurs (those exist apparently,) they are also that rare combination of healthy and delicious. Emu meat is apparently lean, low in cholesterol, high in iron and Vitamin C and has a taste similar to filet mignon.Although it may be considered a delicacy to the indigenous tribes of Australia, it didn’t catch on with the rest of the world for unknown reasons. Perhaps everyone else was too busy laughing at the name to bother sitting down for dinner.

8. Camels 

Camel meat has been consumed for centuries, believe it or not. Ancient Greeks recorded it being offered at Persian banquets, where it was usually roasted whole. And Roman Emperor Heliogabulus is said to have enjoyed camel heels.Heliogabulus aside, most people prefer the brisket, ribs and loins of the camel, while the humps are considered a particular delicacy. The hump contains “white and sickly fat” that can be used to preserve other meat (known as Khli) such as mutton, beef and camel. Though proven to be rough, the longer camel is cooked, the more tender it becomes.

Camel meat is usually eaten as an alternative source of protein in arid countries such as Djibouti, Somalia, Egypt , Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan, to name a few.In Kenya, camel blood is mixed with milk as a source of iron, vitamin D, salt and other minerals. The Abu Dhabi Officers’ Club is known to mix beef or mutton fat with camel burgers, and in Alice Springs, Australia, you can find camel lasagna .Don’t tell Garfield.

7. Dolphins 

Though dolphin hunting is practiced in a handful of places (coastal Japanese towns and the Faroe and Solomon Islands, to name a few,) the practice is discouraged elsewhere, because dolphin meat contains high concentrations ofmethylmercury . Though all fish contain trace amounts of mercury, dolphins contain such high amounts because their diets consist of eating other marine life that contains mercury , and it just builds up over their 18-50 year life spans.

6. Cassowaries 

Cassowaries are a species of large bird related to ostriches and emus, and indigenous to the forests of New Guinea and other islands northeast of Australia. And, according to the Korowai people of Papua, New Guinea, young cassowary tastes almost exactly like human flesh .

Now, although cannibalism isn’t as big a part of their culture as it is in other cultures, anyone accused of being a khakhua (a secret witch doctor) will be ritualistically eaten. So they know a thing or two about how we taste. Now, confirming this is kind of hard since most cassowary species are considered endangered, and cannibalism is technically illegal. But that won’t stop any adventurous (deranged) people from trying them. And anyone “daring” enough to try both human and cassowary flesh, feel free to post your findings in the comment section. And your address, which would make it easier for us to stay away from you.

5. Iguanas 

Yes, people eat iguana. It’s been a traditional staple across parts of Mexico and Central America, plus it’s apparently rich in vitamins, and is said to taste likechicken (but what doesn’t?) The most commonly eaten iguanas are the common green, spiny-tailed and the black spiny-tailed.

Alas, the sale of iguana is illegal in the US but, due to lax laws in Florida, they have been brought in as exotic pets, and are starting to become invasive pests. Burrowing beneath sidewalks, breaking into attics, and eating endangered flora, fauna and expensive garden plants may change iguana meat’s “protected” status real quick-like.

4. Dogs 

Everyone knows that in China, Vietnam, South Korea and other Asian countries, dogs are eaten commonly. Turns out doggies were recorded as being eaten in ancient Rome, ancient Mexico and ancient China as well. Today, it’s common in Switzerland, and even President Obama has eaten dog meat.

While some consider dog meat a traditional cuisine, others consider it inappropriate and even sacrilege. It is against both Jewish and Islamic dietary law to eat dog, while Buddhism lists it as one of the “five forbidden meats.” Dog farmers, on the other hand, consider it no different from any other form of livestock. As for you, go stare at Fido snoozing on the couch and make your own decision.

3. Maggots 

While the thought of having to eat maggots would cause many people to throw up in their mouths, maggots are almost entirely made up of protein, and are highly nutritious . Mostly eaten in parts of Africa, they’re also popular in China.Aside from being a main course, maggots are also useful in the field of medicine, determining a person’s time of death, disposing of carrion and waste, and also Sardinian cheese production, after which the cheese maggots can also be eaten.

2. Guinea Pigs 

Guinea pigs? Nooooo, not our snuggwy-wuggwy pets! Sorry, but in parts ofSouth America , guinea pigs are more or less the other other white meat, which means they’re healthier than beef (everything seems to be nowadays,) and they apparently taste like lamb.

In Peru alone, an estimated 65 million guinea pigs are eaten annually. And why not? They’re easy feed, easier to breed (a female guinea pig can have 3-5 litters a year, containing 1-6 pups per litter,) and take up less space than commonlivestock . Peruvians actually think we’re the crazy ones, for keeping them as pets. And considering they can cost as much as $50 each (not counting sales tax, food, cages and other guinea pig things,) maybe they’re right.

1. Jellyfish 

People all over the world eat squid and octopus , but is even possible to eat a jellyfish? Yes, technically. Of the 85 known species of jellyfish, 12 of them are actually fit for human consumption. They’re mostly harvested in Southeast Asia but, due to the popularity of the American cannonball jellyfish, they’re also harvested in the North Atlantic and Gulf Coast, and are eaten in China and Japan.

Processing takes 20-40 days and is handled by an awesomely named “jellyfish master.” It involves removing the gonads and mucous membrane, and treating the umbrella and oral arms with alum and table salt. Then comes compression, which reduces liquefaction, odor and spoiling organisms. The end result produces a crunchy, crisp texture. Though being 94% water and 6% protein, jellyfish contains almost no cholesterol, carbohydrates or saturated fats.Unfortunately, it can also hold the same kind of bacteria as any other kind of meat. Still, it’s cool to know a small number of jellyfish are fit (and nonpoisonous enough) to be called edible.