This Worm Is A Millennial
Defector • • science
Key Points:
- A ribbon worm named Baseodiscus the Eldest (B), collected in the late 1990s from the San Juan Islands, has been confirmed as the longest-lived ribbon worm on record, living at least 26 to 30 years, far exceeding the previous maximum lifespan of three years.
- B's longevity was documented by researchers including marine biologist Jonathan Allen, who has cared for the worm through multiple relocations and now keeps it in a tank in Virginia, where it remains active and shows no signs of aging.
- Ribbon worms are among the longest animals on Earth, and while B's age is exceptional in scientific records, researchers believe such long lifespans are typical for these creatures, though not previously documented.
