Very Old Animals

<p>These animals have been marking time largely unaware of all the ups and downs and intrigues of humanity. And stories about them often have more to do with the way people perceive them than the animals themselves. </p> <p><strong>Research:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Butler, Paul G. et al. “Variability of marine climate on the North Icelandic Shelf in a 1357-year proxy archive based on growth increments in the bivalve Arctica islandica.” Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. Volume 373, 2013. Pages 141-151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2012.01.016.</li> <li>Barber, Elizabeth. “Scientists discover world's oldest clam, killing it in the process.” Christian Science Monitor. Nov. 15, 2013. https://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2013/1115/Scientists-discover-world-s-oldest-clam-killing-it-in-the-process</li> <li>Binns, Daniel. “Blungling Scientists Kill World’s Oldest Creature – a Clam – After 507 Years in Sea.” Metro UK. Nov. 13, 2013. https://metro.co.uk/2013/11/13/bungling-scientists-kill-worlds-oldest-creature-a-clam-after-507-years-in-sea-4185580/</li> <li>Brix, Lise. “New record: World’s oldest animal is 507 years old.” Science Nordic. Nov. 6, 2013. https://sciencenordic.com/ageing-denmark-geochemistry/new-record-worlds-oldest-animal-is-507-years-old/1392743</li> <li>Free, Cathy. “The world’s oldest living land animal? At age 190, it’s Jonathan the tortoise.” The Washington Post. January 30, 2022. https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2022/01/31/oldest-animal-tortoise-jonathan-/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2022/01/31/oldest-animal-tortoise-jonathan-/</li> <li>“Daughter Scotches Churchill Parrot Claim.” BBC. Jan. 21, 2004. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/3417353.stm</li> <li>Elliot, Danielle. “Ming the Clam, World’s Oldest Animal, Was Actually 507 Years Old.” CBS News. Nov. 14, 2013. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ming-the-clam-worlds-oldest-animal-was-actually-507-years-old/</li> <li>Farrar, Steve. “Ming the Mollusk Holds Secret to Long Life.” The Times. October 28, 2007. https://