Who lives 300 years? Why do crows live 300 years?

Remember, in children's tales very often there is a mention that, say, a certain positive hero after certain, as a rule, successful feats, ruled and lived long-long? For sure, many of us will be able to recall even a few examples.

But have you ever thought about someone who lives for 300 years actually? And are there such creatures in the world at all, or are all this longevity - nothing more than the latest inventions of science fiction writers?

Let's try to understand the situation. In this article, we scientifically trace and justify who lives 300 years on planet Earth and whether this is possible in principle. The reader will get acquainted with several species of living beings and receive a brief description of their life activity.

Section 1. General information

Agree, the theme of immortality has always worried humanity. Perhaps it would be foolish to ask why. Well, of course, the whole point is that this would allow people to have power over all living things. Can you imagine what would happen if we finally acquired the ability to regenerate unhealthy organs and restore lost limbs? To put it mildly, it would be great!

To date, the best scientists of the planet are working on the problem of prolonging life, but, unfortunately, this remains only within dreams.

But if for us this kind of opportunities is just a fantasy, then for many animals this is in the order of things. Of course, they do not live forever, and just like us, they grow old and die with time, but compared to man they are real champions for longevity. And some individuals survived even their brethren and were eyewitnesses of many historical events on the planet. It's a pity that we have not learned to understand them properly ... How much valuable information could be obtained!

So what animal lives on Earth lives the longest? Are there any record holders? Let us consider several convincing examples.

Section 2. Amazing red sea urchin

These mysterious sea creatures live in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, mainly off the west coast of North America. Red sea urchins prefer quiet places on an almost uninhabited ocean floor and usually live at a depth of at least 90 meters. The duration of their life is several centuries.

Scientists know that they all move little, attach themselves to the marine soil and feed mainly only small organisms that are swallowed with water and then filtered.

Modern researchers believe that the echinoderms of this species are almost immortal and they have no signs of aging. By the way, sea urchins at the age of 100 are as prolific as their 10-year-old relatives. They can die only from diseases or predators.

Indeed, the sea urchin is the one who lives 300 years, and maybe even longer.

Section 3. Have you heard about the Hatteria?

This mysterious animal was properly studied only many years after discovery. Subsequently, it turned out that such creatures disappeared from the face of the earth many millions of years ago, and hatteria remained the only species of this order of reptiles.

It is extremely interesting that the internal structure of the bodies of hatteria has a similar physiology with a crocodile, a turtle, a fish and a snake, as well as with ancient, long-extinct megalosaurs, ichthyosaurs and teleosaurs.

To date, with certainty it can be said that the hatteria are contemporaries of the dinosaur era and can reach the age of two hundred years.

Section 4. The Greenland whale

The bowhead whale has a dark color and there is no dorsal fin. The length of this giant mammal can reach 20 meters, and weight - 100 tons.

Unlike other whales that migrate to other places, the Greenland whale lives only in Arctic and subarctic waters. Unfortunately, today the number of these giants has greatly decreased, and they are certainly in danger.

In one of the articles of the scientist from the University of Alaska Ned Rozella describes a whale aged over 210 years. True, it should be noted that the accuracy of the method used to determine the age limits was only 16%, which means that there is a huge probability that this animal could be 177-245 years old.

These studies show that the bowhead whale is one of the ancient mammals on the planet, although in the media, as a rule, there are reports that of the permanent inhabitants of the water depths live turtles for 300 years, and for all other representatives of the underwater kingdom it is simply impossible . It is worth pondering ...

Section 5. Khanako carp

Carp koi refers to the decorative variety of common carp, which are bred in the garden ponds that are common for all of us.

Fish of this species can have a different color, pattern or size of scales. Most often there are specimens of white, black, red, yellow, blue or cream colors.

Interestingly, the age of carp can be calculated by the number of rings on the scales. By the way, the age of the tree is also determined by the rings located on the trunk. The oldest carp koi Hanako, who died in July 1977, lived up to 226 years.

Section 6. The giant turtle

To reptiles-long-livers can be attributed and giant Seychelles turtles, which are famous for their longevity. Their average life expectancy is 100-150 years. Of course, they can not be attributed to those who live 300 years in fact, but, according to the research of modern scientists, one of such representatives of the species mentioned was the turtle Advaita, surpassing all its relatives and lived more than 250 years.

The last century of its existence Advaita spent in captivity in the zoo in the city of Calcutta, where she died at a fairly old age. The longevity of the turtle was not affected even by the absence of a natural habitat and limited space, which in most cases, as a rule, is detrimental to animals.

Section 7. Goldfish Tishka

Decorative fish, living in aquariums, are not particularly viable and longevity, they often get sick and die. Usually they please their owners for not more than one year. But one goldfish named Tish became a real champion for cheerfulness and spent 43 years in the aquarium.

The owners of the small fish accidentally won at the auction. With them, she spent her whole life until old age. She was included in the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest aquarium fish in the world.

Section 8. In fact, does the raven live 300 years?

In general, I would like to note at once that such a statement is no more than a myth invented by lovers of these birds and connecting with them a lot of mysteries, legends and secrets.

So, let's try to understand and look at the problem from a scientific point of view. How many crows live? 300 years? 200? And maybe he is immortal?

It was always believed that these representatives of the genus feathered can live more than a hundred years. But, speaking about the life of these birds, we need to decide which ravens will be discussed. What's the catch? Let's try to explain. The thing is that there are two types: thieves and warriors, each of which has its life expectancy, depending on the environment and content.

So, thieves. In nature, these living beings are susceptible to various diseases, attacks by enemies and nutritional deficiencies. Considering that these birds live mostly near the person, the ecological situation of large cities also has great significance. Which of these is the conclusion? Very simple! On the question of what kind of bird lives 300 years, you can safely answer: just not a crow! In captivity, she can live up to 30 years, and in nature - no more than 10-15.

Their brethren in Vorona are much larger and more beautiful, their black feathers shine and shimmer with green, blue and purple. However, the question "why crows live 300 years", unfortunately, can be attributed to the rhetorical category. Why? The thing is that this longevity, as well as the stories that these birds have nine human lives, are nothing more than a beautiful legend, not supported by any scientific facts.

And yet, how long do crows live ? In fact, individuals in captivity can live up to a maximum of 70 years. And in the natural conditions of life, their life is even less - 30-40 years, on average, birds die at the age of 10-15 years.

Section 9. Immortal inhabitant of planet Earth

True, is not it, but the immortal inhabitant of our planet is the jellyfish Turritopsis nutricula, which lives in tropical and temperate waters.

The uniqueness of this creature is that it is able to reverse its life cycle of development - from an adult it returns to the initial stage, turning into a small polyp. The secret of the eternal life of jellyfish is the ability of transdifferentiation, consisting in the transformation of cells of one type into another. This phenomenon is still little studied by scientists.

Adult jellyfish, reaching puberty, settles on the seabed, pulls the tentacles and begins to turn into a polyp. Transformation of cells of the whole body can take place indefinitely, so these creatures are able to live forever. It is proved that the death of gelatinous organisms of the species mentioned is not related to old age. A great danger for them is represented by various diseases and predators. Due to the original gift of revival, these jellyfish inhabit practically the entire world ocean, and they are not threatened with extinction.

Scientists with interest study the phenomenon of immortality of jellyfish. All researches are conducted in laboratory conditions, and experts hope that scientific works will help to reveal the secret of eternal life and youth. Well, as they say, wait and see!