The oldest spider in the world died at 43, but it is not the oldest animal that has died

The oldest spider in the world died recently in Australia at the age of 43 years, according to the researchers, to a wasp sting and not to his age. This long-lived animal surpassed the record held by a Mexican tarantula who died at age 28, according to a study published by the Pacific Conservation Biology Journal.

This species of spider is characterized by having a life expectancy of between 5 and 20 years, but the "number 16", as it was named by researchers when it was discovered in 1974, remained alive more than twice as long. Researcher Leanda Mason, from Curtin University in Perth, in southwestern Australia explains that "as far as we know, the spider specimen followed for a longer time and its long existence allowed us to know more about the behavior of the scavenger spiders and the dynamics of their populations."

The study also allowed to identify the human threats that affect this species, resulting in the fact that climate change and deforestation have made the life expectancy of these spiders shorter and shorter.

In addition to this species there are other animals that have a high degree of longevity; among these are:

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• Galapagos tortoise: besides being the largest species of turtles on the planet, with a length of one and a half meters and a weight that reaches 250 kilograms, it is the longest terrestrial animal in the world, since it has an average life of more than 100 years. The oldest known turtle came to live 255 years. They are classified as endangered animals and have been strictly protected by the Ecuadorian government since 1970.
• Red hedgehog: they live in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, they have a very striking color, and can be found in shallow waters. Their life expectancy does not exceed 30 years, mainly due to predation or changes in their environment. Despite this, there have been found specimens that have lived up to 200 years.
• Greenland Whale: It is a robust whale, of dark color and without dorsal fin, which can reach up to 20 meters in length and weigh 75 to 100 tons. This whale is considered the longest living mammal in the world because records show that they can live between 150 and 200 years.
• African Gray Parrot: It is considered one of the most beautiful birds in the world, characterized by its intelligence, memory, and its ability to repeat words. It is characterized by Its bill is black, its gray feathers, and its red tail. It has an average life of between 70 and 90 years, but there are cases of specimens that have lived up to 100 years.
• Immortal Medusa: This species is capable of reversing its life cycle, which means, it can age and rejuvenate itself, in an endless cycle, avoiding the wear and tear of its systems and being biologically immortal. They tend to die victims of predators or diseases, but it is considered that if they were in an environment free of threats they could live forever.

Latin American Post | Andrea del Pilar Rojas Riaño
Translated from "¿Cuáles son los animales más longevos del mundo?"