| Rank | Animal | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Turritopsis Dohrnii (Immortal Jellyfish) | Potentially forever |
| 2 | Quahog (hard clam) | 200 years + |
| 3 | Giant tortoise | 150 years + |
| 4 | Box Turtle | 120+ |
| 5 | Turkey Buzzard |
110+ |
Source: National Geographic, Top5pedia research team.
Bear in mind that majority of animals listed above rarely live to their maximum life span, usually dying of accidents, disease or predation.
Turritopsis dohrnii:
A potentially "immortal" jellyfish species that can age backward.
When stressed, the tiny jellyfish's cells transform, returning the animal to its youthful polyp state (inset). Attached to the seafloor or another hard surface, the jellyfish polyp can spawn hundreds of jellyfish that are genetically identical to it.
Quahog (hard clam)
Photograph courtesy Bangor University
This quahog clam was found off of the coast of Iceland and is suspected to be between 405 and 410 years old. It now enters the Guinness book of world records beating out a 220 year old clam.
Giant tortoise
These animals belong to the most ancient group of reptiles, appearing about 250 million years ago. The giant tortoise is now under strict conservation laws and is catergorised as an endangered species.
Box Turtle
The average life span of box turtles is 40 years. However, it is possible for a box turtle to live for over 100 years
Turkey Buzzard
The Turkey Buzzard (Vulture) feeds primarily on a wide variety of carrion, from small mammals to large grazers, preferring those recently dead, and avoiding carcasses that have reached the point of putrefaction.
Like other vultures, it plays an important role in the ecosystem by disposing of carrion which would otherwise be a breeding ground for disease.