A Greenland shark dated to 272-512 years old (midpoint 392) makes it the longest-lived vertebrate known. The bowhead whale is next at an estimated 211 years and the rougheye rockfish at 205.
The Greenland Shark (Somniosus microcephalus) is the longest-lived vertebrate known, with one shark dated to 272-512 years old, a central estimate of 392 years. The bowhead whale is second at an estimated 211 years and the rougheye rockfish third at 205 years. The ranking uses the oldest individual age per vertebrate species in Wikipedia's List of longest-living organisms, as of October 2026.
Vertebrates are animals with backbones: fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. This list sets aside long-lived invertebrates such as clams, sponges and tubeworms, and ranks vertebrate species by the oldest individual on record. Two kinds of age are mixed here, and every entry says which it is. Deep-sea fish, sharks and whales are aged by scientific estimate, such as radiocarbon dating or growth rings in ear bones. Tortoises are aged by historical records of when they were hatched or acquired. Most of the very highest figures are estimates, not birth certificates.
A study published in 2016 found that a 5.02 m Greenland shark was between 272 and 512 years old, with a central estimate of 392. That makes the Greenland shark the longest-lived vertebrate known. The age is an estimate from radiocarbon dating of the eye lens, not a recorded birth date.
Bowhead whales are estimated to have lived at least 211 years, which makes them the longest-lived mammals. The figure is a scientific estimate from chemical changes in the eye lens.
The rougheye rockfish of the North Pacific can reach an estimated 205 years, the oldest age recorded for any bony fish on the source list.
Jonathan, who lives on Saint Helena, is reported to have hatched no later than 1832, which makes him at least 193 years old in October 2026. He is the oldest known living land animal. Because his age is a minimum, his true age may be higher.
Tu'i Malila hatched in 1777 and died in May 1966 at the age of 188, at the time the oldest verified vertebrate.
Harriet, a Galapagos tortoise, died in June 2006 at the reported age of 175.
Timothy, a Greek tortoise born in Turkey, died in the UK on 3 April 2004 at the reported age of 165.
The orange roughy, also called deep sea perch, can live up to an estimated 149 years.
This North American freshwater fish lives to at least 127 years. Its age is based on growth rings in its ear bones, checked against bomb radiocarbon dating. The bigmouth buffalo at Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Minnesota average 80 years old.
In 2012, a lake sturgeon estimated to be 125 years old was caught in Wisconsin. Some researchers suggest the species may live far longer, but that is a projection, not a recorded age, and is not used here.
| # | Name | Class | Age type | Age figure | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greenland Shark (Somniosus microcephalus) | Fish (shark) | Scientific estimate | 272-512 years (midpoint 392) | Eye-lens radiocarbon dating |
| 2 | Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus) | Mammal | Scientific estimate | At least 211 years | Eye-lens aspartic acid racemization |
| 3 | Rougheye Rockfish (Sebastes aleutianus) | Fish (rockfish) | Scientific estimate | 205 years | Otolith (ear bone) ageing |
| 4 | Seychelles Giant Tortoise (Jonathan) | Reptile (tortoise) | Reported minimum (still living) | At least 193 years | Historical records |
| 5 | Radiated Tortoise (Tu'i Malila) | Reptile (tortoise) | Recorded age | 188 years | Historical records |
| 6 | Galapagos Tortoise (Harriet) | Reptile (tortoise) | Reported age | 175 years | Historical records |
| 7 | Greek Tortoise (Timothy) | Reptile (tortoise) | Reported age | 165 years | Historical records |
| 8 | Orange Roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) | Fish | Scientific estimate | 149 years | Not stated by source |
| 9 | Bigmouth Buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus) | Fish | Scientific estimate (validated) | At least 127 years | Otolith rings + bomb radiocarbon |
| 10 | Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) | Fish | Scientific estimate | 125 years | Not stated by source |
Species are ranked by the oldest age given for an individual vertebrate in Wikipedia's List of longest-living organisms (revision of 15 October 2026), one entry per species. Every entry is labelled as a scientific estimate or a reported or recorded age. Where the source gives a range, the midpoint is used: the Greenland shark's 272-512 years gives 392, the central estimate of the 2016 study. Living individuals are counted at their minimum age as of October 2026. Excluded are claims the source itself calls unconfirmed: Adwaita, an Aldabra giant tortoise said to be 255 at death; Hanako, a koi said to be 226; and a European eel claimed to be 155. Also excluded are the oreos (up to 170 years), a group of several genera rather than one species, and forward projections such as a possible 400-year lifespan for lake sturgeon. Just below tenth place are a Nile crocodile reported at 123-124 years and Jeanne Calment, at 122 the oldest fully documented human. Rank 1 is the longest-lived.
The Greenland shark. A 2016 study dated one shark to between 272 and 512 years old, with a central estimate of 392.
By radiocarbon dating the core of the eye lens, which forms before birth and does not renew. The method gives a range, not an exact age.
Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise on Saint Helena, is at least 193 years old and still alive. Adwaita, an Aldabra giant tortoise, was said to be 255 when he died in 2006, but that age has never been confirmed.
Just outside the top 10. Jeanne Calment, who died in 1997 at 122 years and 164 days, is the oldest fully documented human.
More like this: all Animals & Nature rankings · browse every topic