Longest-living mammals - Graph it! - human beings - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

Science World, Oct 15, 2001

All living things eventually grow old and die--a process called senescence. But for reasons scientists still don't understand, humans age more slowly than other mammals (animals that nurse their babies with milk). The average human life span in an industrialized country is between 75 and 85 years; a typical dog lives 20 years, while mice survive about 4 years.

This graph shows the life spans for some of the longest-living mammals. By how many years can the average killer whale outlive a hippo? Do you think aging impacts other animals in the same way it does human beings?

ANIMAL          AVERAGE LIFE SPAN IN YEARS

Human                    60-80 *
Asian                    70-75
Elephant
Killer                   50-70
Whale
Hippopotamus             40-50
Rhinoceros               20-50

* Industrial and non-industrial nations combined

SOURCE: THE USBORNE BOOK OF ANIMAL FACTS, SCHOLASTIC, INC.;