Broken Records

Longest-lived non-colonial animal

The current longest-lived non-colonial animal record is 507 years, held by Ming the ocean quahog clam, set on January 1, 2006. Last checked October 9, 2026.

507

years

Ming the ocean quahog clam

Off Iceland, North Atlantic, 2006

Holder
Ming the ocean quahog clam
Record
507 years
Location
Off Iceland, North Atlantic
Date set
January 1, 2006
Last checked
October 9, 2026

Put it in perspective

Ming the ocean quahog clam lived through 507 years of history. Here is what changed along the way.

  1. Born1499
  2. Age 3771876Bell patents the telephone
  3. Age 4041903First powered airplane flight
  4. Age 4151914World War I begins
  5. Age 4401939World War II begins
  6. Age 4701969First people walk on the Moon
  7. Age 4901989The Berlin Wall falls
  8. Age 5072006Sets the record: 507 years

Sources

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