Agree, the theme of immortality has always worried humanity. It would probably be silly to wonder why. Well, of course, the whole point is that it would allow people to have power over everything alive. Can you imagine what it would be like if we finally acquired the ability to regenerate unhealthy organs and restore lost limbs? To put it mildly, it would be great!
To date, the best scientists of the planet are working on the problem of extending life, but, unfortunately, it still remains only within the dreams.
But if for us this kind of opportunity is just a fantasy, then for many animals it is in the order of things. Of course, they do not live forever, and just like us, they grow old and die with time, but compared to humans, they are true champions of longevity. And some individuals even survived their brethren and witnessed many historical events on the planet. It is a pity that we never learned to understand them properly. How much valuable information could be obtained!
So which animal from living on Earth lives the longest? Are there record holders? Consider at once some convincing examples.
Section 2. Amazing Red Sea Urchin
These mysterious sea creatures inhabit the waters of the Pacific, mainly off the west coast of North America. Red sea urchins prefer quiet places on an almost uninhabited ocean floor and usually live at a depth of at least 90 meters. Their lifespan is several centuries.
Scientists know that they all move a little, attach to the sea ground and feed mainly on small organisms that are swallowed with water and then filtered.
Modern researchers believe that echinoderms of this species are practically immortal and they have no signs of aging. By the way, sea hedgehogs are as prolific as they are ten years old. They can die only from diseases or predators.
Indeed, the sea urchin is one who lives 300 years, and maybe longer.
Section 3. And about the tongue heard?
This mysterious animal was properly studied only many years after its discovery. Subsequently, it turned out that such creatures disappeared from the face of the earth many millions of years ago, and the Tatter remained the only species of this order of reptiles.
It is extremely interesting that the internal structure of the organs of the skin has a similar physiology with the crocodile, turtle, fish and snake, as well as with the ancient, long-extinct megalosaurs, ichthyosaurs and teleosaurs.
Today we can say with confidence that the gatteries are contemporaries of the dinosaur era and can reach the age of two hundred years.
Section 4. Greenland Whale
The bowhead whale is dark in color and has no dorsal fin. The length of this giant mammal can reach 20 meters, and weight - 100 tons.
Unlike other whales that migrate for breeding to other places, the bowhead whale lives only in the Arctic and subarctic waters. Unfortunately, these days the numbers of these giants have greatly decreased, and they are certainly in danger.
In one of the articles by Ned Rosella, a scientist from the University of Alaska, a whale aged over 210 years is described. However, it should be noted that the accuracy of the method used to determine the age framework was only 16%, which means there is a huge probability that this animal could be 177-245 years old.
These studies show that the bowhead whale is one of the oldest mammals on the planet, although in the media there is usually information that turtles live for 300 years from the permanent inhabitants of the water depths, and for all other representatives of the underwater kingdom it is simply impossible . It is worth thinking ...
Section 5. Hanpu Koi Carp
The carp koi belongs to the ornamental variety of common carps, which are bred in the garden ponds we are used to.
Fish of this species may have a different color, pattern or size of scales. The most common instances of white, black, red, yellow, blue or cream.
Interestingly, the age of the carp can be calculated by the number of rings on the scales. By the way, the age of the tree is also determined by the rings located on the trunk. The oldest carp koi Hanako, who died in July 1977, lived up to 226 years.
Section 6. Giant tortoise
The reptile-long-lived can be attributed to the giant Seychelles turtles, which are famous for their longevity. Their average lifespan is 100-150 years. Of course, they cannot be attributed to those who live 300 years in fact, but, according to research by modern scientists, one of such representatives of the above-mentioned species was Advaita, a tortoise who surpassed all its relatives and lived more than 250 years.
Advaita spent the last century of her existence in captivity in the zoo of the city of Calcutta, where she died at a rather old age. Even the absence of natural habitat and limited space did not affect the longevity of the tortoise, which in most cases, as a rule, has a detrimental effect on animals.
Section 7. Golden Fish Tishka
Ornamental fish that live in aquariums, do not differ special vitality and longevity, often get sick and die. Usually they please their owners no more than one year. But one golden fish named Tish became a real record holder in vitality and spent 43 years in an aquarium.
The owners of the small fish accidentally won at the auction. With them, she spent her whole life to old age. She hit the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest aquarium fish in the world.
Section 8. Does the Crow really live 300 years?
In general, I would immediately like to note that such an assertion is nothing more than a myth invented by lovers of these birds and associated with them many mysteries, legends and secrets.
So, let's try to understand and look at the problem from a scientific point of view. How much does a raven live? 300 years old? 200? And perhaps he is immortal?
It was always believed that these representatives of the genus of birds could live more than a hundred years. But, speaking about the lifespan of these birds, you need to decide what kind of ravens will be discussed. What is the catch? Let's try to explain. The thing is that there are two types: ravens and ravens, each of which has its own lifespan, depending on its habitat and content.
So, the thieves. In nature, these living things are subject to various diseases, attacks of enemies and malnutrition. Given that these birds live mainly next to humans, the ecological situation of large cities is also of great importance. What is the conclusion? Very simple! To the question of which bird lives 300 years, we can safely answer: it is definitely not vorohn! In captivity, she can live up to 30 years, and in nature - no more than 10-15.
Their fellow ravens are much larger and more beautiful, their black as pitch, plumage shines and shimmers in green, blue and purple. However, the question "why the crows live 300 years," unfortunately, can be classified as rhetorical. Why? The thing is that this longevity, like the stories that these birds have nine human lives, is nothing more than a beautiful legend, not supported by any scientific facts.
And yet, how long do the crows live? In fact, some individuals in captivity can live to a maximum of 70 years. And in natural habitat, their lifespan is even less - 30-40 years, on average, birds die at the age of 10-15 years.
Section 9. Immortal inhabitant of the planet Earth
True, there is no, but the jellyfish Turritopsis nutricula, inhabiting tropical and temperate waters, is considered to be an immortal inhabitant of our planet.
The uniqueness of this creature is that it is able to reverse its life cycle of development - from an adult it returns to the initial stage, turning into a small polyp. The secret of the eternal life of a jellyfish lies in the ability of transdifferentiation, which consists in transforming cells of one type into another. This phenomenon is still little studied by scientists.
An adult jellyfish, reaching puberty, settles on the seabed, draws in tentacles and begins to turn into a polyp. The transformation of the cells of the whole body can be infinite, so these creatures are able to live forever. It is proved that the death of the gelatinous organisms of the mentioned species is not associated with old age. The greatest danger for them are various diseases and predators. Due to a kind of gift of rebirth, these jellyfish inhabit almost the entire world ocean, and they are not threatened with extinction.
Scientists are studying with interest the phenomenon of the immortality of jellyfish. All research is conducted in the laboratory, and experts hope that scientific work will help solve the secret of eternal life and youth. Well, as they say, wait and see!
Differences of the crow from the crow
It is a mistake to assume that these are birds, between which it is appropriate to put an equal sign. They represent two completely different species. The only thing that unites them is the family of ravens. And those and others have both females and males.
Since ancient times, it was assumed that the larger crows are males, they, as a rule, differed not only in size, but also in a sufficiently powerful voice, but scientists have refuted this point of view.
Crows, unlike ravens, prefer to live near people. It is so much easier for them to get food. Also, due to this neighborhood, these birds can practice in their favorite pastime - theft. Open bags, as well as just inattentive townspeople - this is all that so attracts crows who love to live among us.
A bird like a raven has completely opposite features. Its main Differences from the crows can be called:
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Often, crows love to live in places where there are no people. - These birds love to create a pair, which they cherish until the end of their days, like swans who know what real “fidelity” is.
- Crows are big owners. When they are in a pair, they necessarily own any territory on which they try to prevent anyone from joining.
- It is curious that the crow does not like the crow too much. Such hostility in these birds has long been.
- These birds are real scavengers. They are able to ruin nests, eat the remnants of other animals. In this they are very helpful profitable large size.
Often, crows love to live in places where there are no people.Interestingly, the raven is not a very trusting bird. It can, of course, be taught, but these cases are rather exceptional. Crows are very smart. You can make sure of it yourself, you just have to look into his eyes. Perhaps that is why the quality and longevity of the crows is higher than that of the crows. Sometimes this look can even strike fear; it’s not for nothing that this bird is often present in sorcerers and in sessions that are held by fortune-tellers.
Crows can perfectly imitate. This can be either the singing of another bird or the barking of a dog.
Raven Life Span
You can not answer the question of how much the belly of the crow, definitely. For a lifetime many factors affectincluding quality, living conditions. There is a significant difference in the duration of existence for those birds that live in captivity, and live, multiply in the open expanse, away from man and every civilization.
If we talk about the crows who love and try to live in the wild, they risk more crows, who have virtually no enemies in the urban environment. Crows get sick more often, it’s harder for them to get food. However, if the crows live in the industrial zone and the process of their existence constantly inhale harmful fumes, their lifespan is also small.
If we talk about how many crows can live, then those. Who live in the city sometimes can live to 30 years, but under rather favorable conditions. Most often, this figure reaches 10 years. Thus, the range of the number of years that crows can live is quite wide.
Speaking of large crows, non-urban birds, it can be noted that their life expectancy is somewhat longer. You can find many ancient records, which say that the crow was able to live about 300 years. People said that these birds live nine human lives.
If today the crow to create favorable conditions for living, he may well live to 70 years. We are talking about those who live in captivity. If the bird lives in the wild, then the average life expectancy is an order of magnitude less - about 10-15 years. The maximum number of years this bird can live in the wild - it's 40 years old. This is the opinion of modern ornithologists.
Own view on this issue exists in various nations:
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Arabs say that the raven is an immortal bird. Moreover, some even sincerely believe in it. - The peoples of Eurasia consider crow a long-liver, etc.
Arabs say that the raven is an immortal bird. Moreover, some even sincerely believe in it.Despite the fact that there are so different opinions about the lifespan of the ravens, these birds remain the most mystical and mysterious withAmong all existing. Many nations know a lot of legends and believe in signs associated with these amazing birds. They constantly attract many curious views of both scientists and ordinary lovers of nature and animals. There are many more curious facts that ornithologists have only to find out about them, how they like to live and what are their features.
Description, the appearance of birds
In particular, the length of the body of ravens can reach 70 cm, and a massive bird sometimes weighs up to two kilograms. The size of the female is somewhat smaller. It has a large, thick beak and a wedge-shaped tail, than the same crow cannot boast. Coloring attracts attention: the bird has black plumage with slight variations of shades near the neck, the abdominal area with a glossy, metallic sheen.
A raven has a wingspan of one to one and a half meters. The bird has throat pointed feathers, and under the beak, with age, they are formed in the form of a "beard". Like the plumage, the beak and legs of the ravens are also blue-black. Claws on legs curved. Crow's Eye coffee shades.
Similarity with other birds
The similarity can be found with the rooks, but the crow is much more massive and different in a number of ways. Is that the coloring of the body of the ravens monotonous, like the same rook or black crow. In the bird's voice, a low, guttural "crush", or a loud, short, or lingering "edge", also known as croaking, is heard. It is believed that ravens can imitate sounds, mimic the voices of other animals.
Ravens spread
Distribution received almost everywhere in the so-called Holarctic region, which covers most of the globe. From the extreme north of the Russian Federation, Alaska and Greenland to the northern part of the Sahara Desert, Arabia, north-western India. Where they can not be exactly found is in South America. Nevertheless, despite such a vast territory of distribution, the bird loses its number every year.
Habitat of crow
From the previous paragraph, it is clear that crows can choose practically any landscape as their habitat, from the plain to the mountains, from the desert to the tundra. Nevertheless, they avoid dense coniferous forests. Birds prefer deciduous forests or, if it is north, scrubland near water bodies and swamps. In the southern areas of its range it prefers mountains to steppe plains. They live even in the Himalayas, at a great height.
In the neighborhood with the person of the crow, as a rule, do not settle. Although recently noted that the black raven began to appear in the suburbs and abandoned villages. In large cities to see it, rather, an exception to the rule. However, sometimes crows get a photo in the lens. In cities, the bird can nest in unpopulated high-rise buildings. Ravens can attract affordable feed at landfills, meat processing plants or in barnyards.
Bird nesting site
The crows often nest in forests, near the water source. In open areas, if it occurs, it is more likely where it is rare to find a living person, for example, in cemetery groves. It is extremely rare near some busy roads, if there is an edge and food there.
Selection of bird nesting sitesGiven the sedentary life of a crow, it is very important for him. Rare crows decide on long flights for wintering. Therefore, the bird chooses deaf, inaccessible places for humans, with a thick growth of trees. As a rule, the crow chooses a strong tree with a high fork in the trunk for the future nest, for which pine, oak and linden trees are suitable.
If a raven chose a cultural landscape as a nesting site, then the choice of location is limited to abandoned skyscrapers, water towers or old churches.
Lifestyle, especially the behavior of birds
The raven is extremely intelligent, with a well-organized nervous system. Older birds impart experience to the young, and the memory of those allows you to memorize everything and further repeat the habits of behavior. То есть, можно говорить о том, то вместе с безусловными, у них присутствуют и условные рефлексы. Этих птиц от других им подобных можно отличить даже в полете.
Птица делает намного меньше взмахов длинными крыльями, чем напоминает своих более крупных собратьев-хищников. Также видовой особенностью птицы можно назвать старт ворона перед взлетом, поскольку он делает определенную разбежку. Да и в целом ворон хорошо себя чувствует на земле.
At night, the raven sleeps in its nest, during the day it is always busy with hunting.
As a rule, these birds form small flocks closer to the fall, and before that live in isolated pairs. Another interesting fact is that the raven is different in that, like people, it fights for territory. A bird orderly attacks each other in flocks, if necessary. Helps them in the fight powerful, bent wedge, a large beak. A flock of crows of winners settles in the conquered territory and within its limits extracts its food.
Raven Power
The raven is almost omnivorous, not scorching and carrion. Also, the bird is seen for the destruction of the nests of other animals. Much depends on the season. Raven has excellent eyesight, so when there is no easily accessible food in the form of carrion, he looks out for small animals from the sky - from field mice to insects. If the crow suddenly interrupts his lunch and flies away to a close distance from the food, as a rule, this means that the owner of the place has returned or has come, be it a beast or a man.
For the same purpose, they can follow the herds of nomads or wild animals for a long time. If there is not enough food in the area of residence, the raven can fly into the anthropogenic landscape, closer to the meat processing plants or cattle farms. With the approach of man, the bird flies away at once, however, the crow is not afraid to drive away other small animals. Sometimes they even take away legitimate food from predators or parasitize on their stocks.
Raven and diet
House animals are rarely attacked. It is interesting to observe the obtaining of food of the ravens, who settle near the banks of the river. A raven catches a toothless shell on the shore, and then raises it high into the sky, from where it is thrown back. And so several times until the shell breaks to get a slug out.
Ravens have also been observed for eating grain, various vegetable feeds. Despite the relatively low socialization, birds tend to share large prey with their brethren, which is a loud signal. In particular, it concerns the young.
Breeding
As is the case with the behavior of the pack, those crows that have formed a pair will certainly take ownership of some territory and jealously guard it. The distance between the lands of all such marriages is several kilometers (except for the anthropogenic zone).
Sometimes the attachment of the ravens to the place allows you to keep such a union until the very end of life, which is why they were defined as monogamous. By the way, puberty begins after the second year of life. It's time for the crow to prepare the nest.
Marriage games are distinguished by the fact that male crows begin to perform aerobatics in the sky, or, like a peacock, to walk in front of a female with a “loose” tail. If the female agrees, the couple begins to clean each other feathers and prepare the nest.
Raven and offspring
During the construction of the nest materials (and these are branches, twigs, scraps of skins for masonry, moss, lumps of clay, etc.) bring both "spouse", but only the female is in charge of laying, which then hatch eggs there. This lasts up to 3 weeks, until the design inspires confidence in the bird: the diameter of the nest is about one meter on average, and half a meter in height.
Often a pair of crows settles several nests within their territory at once, just in case, and periodically changes their location. But, despite the number of nests, there is no more than one brood per year.
The first time after hatching, the raven female continues to warm the fluff-covered chicks in the nest. Then the crows are already feeding a couple with their half. A newborn chick eats all that its parents eat. A little more than a month later, the chicks begin to fly, and after a year the bird will live independently.
How many crows live
If an average raven lives in the wild about 15 yearsthen a bird can live in captivity and a few dozen. In general, the raven is considered long-lived. How many crows live depends on the living conditions and quality of food. If the chick is still removed from the nest, it becomes possible to tame it, but subsequently the crow recognizes only the owner. And then, after a year or two, the bird seeks to fly away, only manage to take a raven photo.
