How Did the World's Oldest Creature Die?

A clam named "Ming" by marine researchers was probably born during the time of the Ming Dynasty in China in 1499. Although the world's oldest known living creature, the clam met an unfortunate end while researchers were trying to determine its age.

This particular ocean clam was one of several hundred clams collected from the Icelandic shelf in the year 2006. Although some sources report that researchers killed the clam by opening it to better count the rings that would reveal its age, others report that the clams died when they were frozen to be transported to the labs in the UK.

The researchers eventually made the best calculation by counting the rings on the outside of the clam's shell. Ming turned out to be older than they had initially assumed -- 507 years old. Ming was a member of a type of hard-shelled ocean clam called "quahog."

The marine researches from Bangor University in the UK who made the discovery were strongly criticized for causing the death of the oldest known living creature in the world. Others have taken it more lightly saying that researchers may not have known the age of the clam when they first found it, as clams remain the same size after a certain age.

It is also possible that clams even older than Ming continue to inhabit the Icelandic shelf and the North Atlantic.

More about clams:

• It is possible to tell the age of a clam from the rings on its shell because it grows a new layer every year. So each ring represents one year.
• There are more than 15,000 clam species in the world.
• A soft-shelled clam can pump 10 gallons of sea water per day for oxygen. It's this pump and filtration process that makes clams living in unclean water unfit for consumption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the world's oldest creature, and how old was it?

The world's oldest known creature was a quahog clam named Ming, which lived for an astonishing 507 years. Ming was part of the species Arctica islandica, a type of ocean quahog clam known for its longevity. Researchers determined its age by counting the growth rings on its shell, much like one would do with tree rings.

How did researchers determine the exact age of the world's oldest creature?

Researchers determined the age of Ming, the ocean quahog clam, by counting the annual growth lines on its shell. These lines, also known as increments, are similar to tree rings and can provide an accurate estimate of age. The process is meticulous and requires careful examination under a microscope to ensure precision in counting.

How did the world's oldest creature die?

The world's oldest creature, Ming the clam, died when researchers accidentally killed it while attempting to open its shell for study. The clam was collected from the Icelandic seabed in 2006, and its death occurred as scientists were trying to determine its age, not realizing at the time that they had the oldest known living animal in their hands.

What scientific significance did the discovery of Ming the clam have?

The discovery of Ming the clam provided valuable insights into the longevity of marine organisms and the history of the marine environment. By studying Ming's growth rings, scientists can gather data on past ocean temperatures and conditions, offering a unique window into climate change over the last half-millennium.

Are there other creatures that can live as long as Ming the clam?

While Ming the clam holds the record for the oldest individual animal, there are other species with individuals known to live for centuries. For example, Greenland sharks and bowhead whales can live for over 200 years. However, no other individual creature has been found to surpass Ming's 507-year lifespan to date.

What measures are being taken to protect long-lived species like Ming the clam?

Conservation efforts for long-lived species like the ocean quahog clam include habitat protection, sustainable fishing practices, and environmental monitoring. Organizations and governments work to establish marine protected areas and regulate harvesting methods to ensure these species are not overexploited and can continue to thrive in their natural habitats.