When we think about long lifespans, humans are often the first to come to mind. But in the grand scheme of Earth’s history, we’re relatively short-lived compared to some other organisms. Some species have survived for centuries, even millennia, making them the oldest living creatures on our planet.

Here are some of the Earth’s oldest living organisms:

1. The Great Basin Bristlecone Pine

Age: Over 5,000 years
Location: California, USA
Why It’s Special: The Great Basin Bristlecone Pine is one of the oldest known living trees, with some individuals reaching over 5,000 years of age. These trees thrive in harsh environments, enduring high winds and low precipitation.

2. Pando – The Trembling Giant

Age: Estimated at 80,000 years
Location: Fishlake National Forest, Utah, USA
Why It’s Special: Pando is not just a tree, but an entire colony of genetically identical quaking aspens connected by a massive underground root system. Though the visible trees are relatively young, the root system has been living for tens of thousands of years.

3. Greenland Shark

Age: Up to 400 years
Location: North Atlantic Ocean
Why It’s Special: The Greenland Shark is one of the longest-living animals on Earth. Recent studies suggest these sharks can live up to 400 years, with some reaching sexual maturity only after 150 years.

4. Hydra – The Immortal Organism

Age: Potentially immortal
Location: Freshwater environments
Why It’s Special: The hydra is a tiny, simple freshwater organism known for its potential immortality. It doesn’t age in the traditional sense and has the ability to regenerate cells indefinitely, essentially avoiding senescence.

5. Antarctic Sponge

Age: Over 10,000 years
Location: Antarctic Ocean
Why It’s Special: The Antarctic sponge is known to live in the icy waters of the Southern Ocean. Its slow growth rate means it can live for thousands of years, making it one of the longest-living animals on Earth.

These ancient organisms prove that life on Earth can endure for far longer than we can imagine, reminding us that our time on this planet is but a blip in the timeline of nature’s history.