405 Year Old Clam Claims Title of Longest Lived Animal

A clam dredged from icy Arctic waters is being hailed as the world's longest-lived animal. Climate researchers at Bangor University in the United Kingdom recently counted 405 annual growth rings in the shells of a quahog clam.

So just think, when this clam was young, Jamestown was just being founded in America (Jamestown is 400 years old this year). Quahog clams are known for their longevity. Previous record holders lived 220 years old and 374 years old.

Scientists believe the secret to the clams' longevity is a slowed cell-replacement process. But why they age so slowly is unknown.

"It is possible that an investigation of the tissues of these real-life Methuselahs might help us to understand the process of aging," team member Chris Richardson said in a media statement.

Check out National Geographic for more information.