Book 11, Question 132
Why Can Some Animals Live for Hundreds of Years?
A few animals, like the Greenland shark and the ocean quahog clam, can live for hundreds of years! They live in cold water, where their bodies work slowly and age slowly. Scientists study their long lives to learn more about how living things grow old.
More fun facts
- Red coral can live for about 500 years.
- Sea animals that live in deep water and do not move much tend to live longer.
- Animals that do not face pressure to have babies early can age slowly.
- Greenland sharks may take about 150 years to become adults.
- Some animals live only days, while others live for thousands of years.
Sources: National Geographic, Scientific American
Questions kids ask
Why do slow animals live longer?
Scientists find that animals in deep water that move little tend to age slowly.