Ocean Quahog (Arctica islandica)

The ocean quahog (Arctica islandica) holds the record as one of Earth's longest-living animals, with some specimens exceeding 500 years. This deep-sea clam grows slowly in the cold North Atlantic, developing growth rings in its shell like tree rings. Scientists use these rings to date them, with the oldest known individual, named "Ming," reaching 507 years old before its death in 2006. Their extraordinary longevity comes from extremely slow metabolisms and remarkable cellular repair systems that resist aging. These unassuming mollusks serve as living climate archives, with their shells containing centuries of oceanic temperature data in their chemistry