Perhaps lots of people would love to live for over a century. Humans might be able to live up to more or less than 100 years, but the number might pale in comparison to the life expectancy of some animals. Some animals have surprised us with unexpectedly long lives, especially, a turtle that could have met Darwin back when he was still traveling to the Americas or a parrot that “spoke” to Winston Churchill.

Bright Side made a list of animals that lived long lives and that caught biology experts’ attention and the public’s hearts thanks to their inspiring will to live. Some of them actually are still with us, surprising us every day!

1. Harriet, the tortoise that lived almost 176 years

Few animals enjoyed being in the spotlight and becoming a celebrity like Poncho the parrot, who you may recognize from several movies. He appeared in 102 Dalmatians, Ace Ventura, and Dr. Doolittle (1998). After his short but busy time in Hollywood, Poncho went to a pet shop in Shrewsbury, a town in the United Kingdom, where he was taken care of until he passed away in 2018 after turning 93. His long life was made possible thanks to his caretakers who treated him gently.

© Ace Ventura: Pet Detective / Morgan Creek Entertainment, © 102 Dalmatians / Walt Disney Pictures

9. Cheeta, Tarzan’s sidekick in the movies

© Burroughs1969 / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

This amusing chimpanzee named Cheeta became famous after appearing in the Tarzan movies released between 1930 and 1940 where he played Tarzan’s loyal companion — who in fact was never mentioned in the novels that were used as an inspiration for the movies. Then, in 1960, he retired to an animal sanctuary where he enjoyed watching sports on TV, listening to music, and behaving badly from time to time. He died from kidney failure when he was believed to be 80 years old.

10. Jonathan, the tortoise that lived 188 years and is still enjoying the pleasures of life

© AFP / EAST NEWS

Without a doubt, tortoises are known for having long lifespans and another example of that is Jonathan, a member of the Seychelles Giant Tortoise species. It is believed that Jonathan was born around 1832 in Seychelles. When he turned 50 years old, Jonathan was taken to Saint Helena where he’s lived ever since in the governor’s office. One of his caretakers said that he’s still in shape and eats normally, plays with other tortoises of its kind, and roams around the fields freely to take long sunbaths.

11. Number 16

© Toby Hudson / Wikimedia Commons, © Creative Commons

Although this spider’s name is far from common, Number 16, a Gaius villosus, got her name from a study carried out in Australia by arachnologist Barbara York Main. Year after year, Dr. York Main studied Number 16’s behavior after her nest was destroyed by a spider-hunting wasp. These wasps inject larvae in spiders’ bodies to serve as a nest and food once the eggs hatch. Despite the attack, Number 16 lived from 1974 to 2016 until it passed away at the age of 43 years, most certainly due to the consequences of the wasp sting.

What other long-living animals do you know? How old is your pet? Share your story with us in the comments along with your favorite picture of your pet. We’d love to see them!