Salamander Can Live for an Estimated 102 Years

A blind, cave-dwelling translucent salamander can live up to 102 years, researchers say. Weighing just 20 grams, the tiny salamander named olm is now a focus for research into aging. French scientist Yann Voituron is studying the olm trying to find out exactly what allows the animal to live so long. So far it seems as though it could be its ability to produce energy without making as many free radicals.

Free radical production has been speculated to cause damage to tissues, and contribute to degenerative diseases. An animal that can create energy while sustaining far less damage in the process is speculated to have a longer lifespan, and presumably less disease during its life.

In a research paper titled, “Extreme lifespan of the human fish (Proteus anguinus): a challenge for ageing mechanisms,” Voituron and his colleagues describe a model they used to help explain the lifespan of the species. Over 50 years ago, a cave was equipped by scientists to be a habitat for the olms. They started a breeding program there which has lasted until the current day. Deaths and births of olms there have been recorded regularly since 1958. Today there are more than 400 olms of various ages living in the controlled habitat. The oldest ones are 48-58 years old, but show no signs of physical decline. From the data collection they have created a mathematical anyalysis yielding a maximum age of 102 years. This number they say, is a conservative estimate.

Olms are most common in Slovenia and Croatia. In spite of their long life spans, it is thought that the population of olms is declining, and the IUCN considers them to be a vulnerable species. Their waters are being polluted by chemical run-off from agricultural fields. Olms are the only cave-adapted aquatic vertebrate in Europe.

Image Credit: Public Domain

Read more: Nature & Wildlife, Pets, Wildlife, aging, longevity, olms

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Lillian G.

8:13AM PDT on Aug 26, 2010

Really amazing!

send a green star

Cynthia E.

11:21AM PDT on Aug 11, 2010

Wow always something fascinating and new around the corner, aay? thanks for posting

Beng Kiat L.

1:23AM PDT on Jul 30, 2010

thanks

Maria R.

5:34PM PDT on Jul 28, 2010

Thank you.

Philippa P.

8:04PM PDT on Jul 27, 2010

Nature never ceases to amaze!

Terry R.

1:52PM PDT on Jul 27, 2010

Interesting. I never knew salamanders could live to be over 100.

Eileen P.

5:40AM PDT on Jul 27, 2010

neat

Celie G.

6:05PM PDT on Jul 26, 2010

i wonder if iys because of the fact that they were out of the sun's rays for millions of years or because of the fact that all the major predators that would eat the salamanders are above ground

Marilyn L.

3:09PM PDT on Jul 26, 2010

Thanks