Longest-living aquatic creature

Glass sponges are one of the longest-living organisms on Earth. Despite their delicate appearance, it is estimated that they can live up to 15,000 years. And although relatively rare, they can be found in every ocean in the world, usually at depths below 450m.

They have the unique ability to generate electrical impulses across their bodies.

Their flagella (tiny hairs which trap bacteria in the water) will stop beating if they sense danger. But unlike other types of sea sponges, glass sponges do not contract or change shape when stimulated.

Longest-living bird – Cookie the cockatoo

The longest-living bird on record is Cookie, a male pink cockatoo (Cacatua leadbeateri), who lived in captivity at Brookfield Zoo, Chicago, USA.

In 2014 Cookie was recognised by the Guinness World Records as the oldest parrot in the world. At that time he had reached the age of 81 and had been retired from public display to preserve his health. Sadly, he passed away in 2016 at the grand old age of 83. Incredibly, Cookie outlived the next longest-living pink cockatoo by 52 years.

Published in Dawn, Young World, April 6th, 2024