Remember, in fairy tales often mention of the fact that, say, a goodie after certain, usually successful exploits, rules and mayest long time?I'm sure many of us can even remember a few examples.
But Have you ever over who lived 300 years, really?And are there any in the world like creatures, or longevity of it all - nothing more than a fiction science fiction writers?
Let's try to understand the situation.In this article, we will trace the scientific point of view and justify the one who lives 300 years on Earth, and whether it is possible in principle.The reader is acquainted with several species of living creatures, and get a brief description of their life.
Section 1. General information
agree that the topic of immortality has always troubled humanity.Probably, it would be foolish to wonder "why".Well, of course, the whole point is that it would allow people to have power over all live.Can you imagine what would have happened if we had finally acquired the ability to regenerate unhealthy organs and restore lost limbs?To put it mildly, it would be great!
by far the best of the planet, scientists working on the problem of prolonging life, but unfortunately, it is still only just within dreams.
But if we have this kind of opportunity - just fantastic, for many animals it is okay.Of course, they do not live forever, and just as we grow old and die with time, but in comparison with the person they are real champions of longevity.Some individuals even experienced their counterparts and have witnessed many historical events on the planet.It is a pity that we have not learned to understand them, as it should ... How valuable information could be obtained!
So what animal living on Earth lives the longest?Do champions?Consider several convincing examples.
Section 2. An amazing red sea urchin
These mysterious marine creatures inhabit the waters of the Pacific Ocean, mainly off the west coast of North America.Red sea urchins prefer quiet places on the ocean floor practically uninhabited and usually live at a depth of not less than 90 meters.Their life expectancy is several centuries.
Scientists know that they move a little, are attached to the seabed and feed mainly on small organisms only, which swallow with water and then filtered.
Modern researchers believe that this kind of echinoderms virtually immortal and they have no signs of aging.By the way, sea urchins, and a hundred years old as fertile as their ten-year counterparts.They can only be killed by disease or predators.
That's really really, sea urchin - is someone who lives 300 years, and perhaps longer.
Section 3. And about Gutter heard?
This mysterious animal has been properly studied only many years after the discovery.Later it turned out that these creatures have disappeared from the face of the earth millions of years ago, and the tuatara has remained the only type of unit reptiles.
It is interesting that the internal structure of tuatara has a similar physiology with a crocodile, turtle, fish and a snake, as well as the ancient, extinct megalosaur, ichthyosaurs and teleozavrami.
Today, it is safe to say that tuatara are contemporaries of the era of the dinosaurs and can reach the age of two hundred years.
Section 4. Bowhead Whale
bowhead whales have 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 migrating for reproduction in other places, the bowhead whale is found only in the Arctic and sub-Arctic waters.Unfortunately, nowadays the number of these giants was strongly reduced, and they certainly are in danger.
In one of the articles of scientists from the University of Alaska Ned Rosella describes the whale over the age of 210 years.However, it should be noted that the accuracy of the method used to determine age limits, was only 16%, which means that there is a huge probability that this animal could be 177-245 years.
These studies show that the bowhead whale is one of the oldest mammals on the planet, even in the media, as a rule, there are details that the permanent inhabitants live turtles water depths of 300 years, and for all other representatives of the underwater kingdom isimpossible.It is worth considering ...
Section 5. koi Hanako
koi refers to the ornamental varieties of common carp, which are bred in familiar to all of us garden ponds.
Fish of this type may have a different color, pattern or size scales.The most common instances of white, black, red, yellow, blue or cream.
Interestingly, the age of carp can be calculated by the number of rings on the scales.Incidentally, the age of the tree are also determined by the ring disposed on the trunk.The oldest koi carp Hanako, who died in July 1977, lived to 226 years.
Section 6. Giant tortoise
For long-lived reptiles include the Seychelles and giant turtles, which are famous for their longevity.Their life expectancy is on average 100-150 years.Of course, they can not be attributed to those who live 300 years actually, but, according to studies of modern scientists, one of those representatives said the turtle species was Advaita, surpassed all his relatives and lived for more than 250 years.
last century of its existence, Advaita held in captivity at the zoo of the city of Calcutta, where she died in a rather advanced age.On the longevity of the tortoise did not affect even the lack of natural habitats and of limited space, which in most cases is usually detrimental to the animals.
Section 7. Goldfish Tishka
Ornamental fish living in aquariums are not very vitality and longevity, are sick and dying.Usually they delight their owners no more than one year.But one goldfish named Tish was a real record for the love of life and conducted in the aquarium 43 years.
small fish owners accidentally won the auction.With them she spent all her life to old age.She got into the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest aquarium fish in the world.
Section 8. Is it true that crows live 300 years?
Generally once would like to note that such a statement - no more than a myth invented by lovers of birds and connecting with them a lot of mysteries, legends and secrets.
So, try to understand and look at the problem from a scientific point of view.What Crow lives?300 years?200?Or maybe he did and immortal?
has always been that these representatives of the birds can live more than a hundred years.But speaking of the life of these birds, you need to decide on what will be discussed crows.What's the catch?Let's try to explain.The fact is that there are two types: ravens and crows, each of which has its own life expectancy, depending on the environment and content.
So Raven.In nature, these creatures are subject to various diseases, attacks of enemies and malnutrition.Given that these birds live mainly near the person, it is of great importance and the environmental situation in big cities.What follows from this conclusion?Very simple!On the question of what kind of bird lives 300 years, we can safely answer: definitely not a crow!In captivity it can live up to 30 years, and in nature - no more than 10-15.
their fellow crows are much larger and more beautiful, their jet-black plumage glistening and shimmering green, blue and purple.However, the question "Why crows live 300 years", unfortunately, can be attributed to the category of rhetorical.Why is that?The thing is, it's longevity, as well as the stories that these birds have nine lives, nothing more than a beautiful legend, not supported by any scientific evidence.
Yet how long live crow?In fact, some individuals in captivity can survive up to a maximum of 70 years.A natural habitat their lifespan even less - 30-40 years, mean the birds dying at the age of 10-15 years.
Section 9. immortal inhabitant of planet Earth
However, if there is, but the immortal inhabitant of our planet is considered the jellyfish Turritopsis nutricula, lives in tropical and temperate waters.
uniqueness of this being that it is able to reverse the life cycle of development - from an adult, she returns to the initial stage, turning into a small polyp.The secret of eternal life lies in the ability of jellyfish transdifferentiation consisting in the transformation of cells of one type to another.This phenomenon has been little studied by scientists.
adult jellyfish, reaching sexual maturity, settles on the sea floor pulls tentacles and begins to turn into a polyp.The transformation of the cells of the whole body can occur indefinitely, so they are capable of creating live forever.It is proved that the death of the said kind of gelatinous organisms not associated with old age.Most of them represent a risk of various diseases and predators.Due to the peculiar gift of regeneration, these jellyfish inhabit virtually all the world's oceans, and they are not threatened with extinction.
Scientists are studying with great interest the phenomenon of immortality jellyfish.All studies are conducted in the laboratory, and experts hope that the research work will help to reveal the secret of eternal life and youth.Well, as they say, wait and see!
