The average life expectancy for humans currently stands at 71.4 years. But these extraordinary organisms truly stand the test of time, witnessing generation after generation pass them by. From a 100,000-year-old seagrass bed off the Spanish coast to a 184-year-old tortoise plodding along in the Seychelles, MailOnline Travel has put together a compendium of some of the world's oldest living things. Many of the ancient animals and plants attract thousands of visitors from around the world every year. Along with tourists the long-living wonders are also a mecca for the scientific community with researchers eager to learn the secret to their incredible longevity. Here are 12 of the planet's oldest living things and where you can go to find them...
Sea grass in the Balearic Islands, Spain - 100,000 years old
Brooklyn artist Rachel Sussman includes a picture of the Balearic Islands' seagrasses in her book called The Oldest Living Things in the World, described as 'an epic journey through time and space' Seagrass found off the Balearic Islands in Spain is thought to be the world's oldest organism, dating back around 100,000 years. The ancient underwater meadows stretch up to nearly 10 miles wide.
Brooklyn artist Rachel Sussman includes a picture of the Balearic Islands' seagrasses in her book called The Oldest Living Things in the World, described as 'an epic journey through time and space' Seagrass found off the Balearic Islands in Spain is thought to be the world's oldest organism, dating back around 100,000 years. The ancient underwater meadows stretch up to nearly 10 miles wide.
Pando, the Trembling Giant - 80,000 years old
Pando is among the largest and oldest organisms on Earth and scientists estimate the forest's single root system dates back more than 80,000 years.
Pando is among the largest and oldest organisms on Earth and scientists estimate the forest's single root system dates back more than 80,000 years.
Volcano Sponge of McMurdo Sound, Antarctica - 15,000 years old
An image of a Giant Volcanic Sponge seen in the icy waters of Antarctica. Scientists believe they could be up to around 15,000 years old.
An image of a Giant Volcanic Sponge seen in the icy waters of Antarctica. Scientists believe they could be up to around 15,000 years old.
Jonathan the tortoise, Seychelles - 184 years old
Jonathan has surpassed the average life expectancy of 150 years for the giant tortoise - and he's still going strong at the ripe old age of 184.
Jonathan has surpassed the average life expectancy of 150 years for the giant tortoise - and he's still going strong at the ripe old age of 184.
Henry the tuatara, Southland Museum of New Zealand - 120 years old
Prince Harry met 120-year-old Henry the tuatara during a visit to Stewart Island in New Zealand in May 2015.
Prince Harry met 120-year-old Henry the tuatara during a visit to Stewart Island in New Zealand in May 2015.
Muja the alligator, Belgrade Zoo - around 80 years old
Muja, an American alligator, is the oldest animal at the Belgrade Zoo in Serbia and he is believed to be around 80 years old.
Muja, an American alligator, is the oldest animal at the Belgrade Zoo in Serbia and he is believed to be around 80 years old.
The Old Vine, Maribor, Slovenia - 400 years old
The Old Vine, which is believed to be a record 400 years old, can be found in the historic city of Maribor in Slovenia.
The Old Vine, which is believed to be a record 400 years old, can be found in the historic city of Maribor in Slovenia.
The Fortingall Yew, Scotland - Up to 5,000 years old
The Fortingall Yew is an ancient European yew in the churchyard of the village of Fortingall in Perthshire, Scotland, and in 1769 the circumference of the yew's multiple trunks was measured at 52 feet.
The Fortingall Yew is an ancient European yew in the churchyard of the village of Fortingall in Perthshire, Scotland, and in 1769 the circumference of the yew's multiple trunks was measured at 52 feet.
Fausta the black rhino, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania - 50 years old
Fausta, who is believed to be the world's oldest black rhino at the age of 54, is currently being cared for by keepers at the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in northern Tanzania.
Fausta, who is believed to be the world's oldest black rhino at the age of 54, is currently being cared for by keepers at the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in northern Tanzania.
Rose of Hildesheim, Germany - 1,000 years old
The Rose of Hildesheim, nicknamed the thousand-year rose, grows on a wall of the Hildesheim Cathedral in Germany and has reached heights of around 33 feet.
The Rose of Hildesheim, nicknamed the thousand-year rose, grows on a wall of the Hildesheim Cathedral in Germany and has reached heights of around 33 feet.
Olive Tree of Vouves - up to 4,000 years old
In 1997, the ancient Olive tree of Vouves was declared a protected natural monument.
In 1997, the ancient Olive tree of Vouves was declared a protected natural monument.
Sunland Baobab, Limpopo, South Africa - 6,000 years old (recently damaged)
The ancient Sunland Baobab tree at Sunland Farm in Limpopo, South Africa, is so wide it takes 40 adults with outstretched arms to encircle it. The huge Sunland Baobab tree at Sunland Farm in Limpopo, South Africa, is the country's oldest baobab tree. Carbon-dating suggested the ancient specimen is about 6,000 years old.
The ancient Sunland Baobab tree at Sunland Farm in Limpopo, South Africa, is so wide it takes 40 adults with outstretched arms to encircle it. The huge Sunland Baobab tree at Sunland Farm in Limpopo, South Africa, is the country's oldest baobab tree. Carbon-dating suggested the ancient specimen is about 6,000 years old.
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