But whilst undeniably (and impressively) old, living through such events as the Aztec Empire and the exploding whale incident ...

In an incredible discovery, scientists have uncovered what they believe is the oldest animal ever found on Earth. Known as Otavia antiqua, this primitive organism dating back 760 million years, was ...

A team of scientists digging up some of the Earth’s oldest rocks has uncovered new chemical evidence that Earth’s first animals were likely ancestors of the modern sea sponge. The discovery relies on ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I write about biodiversity and the hidden quirks of the natural world. Humans, under optimal conditions, can live to an age of 100 ...