The Oldest Inhabitants of Earth

If you were to take a guess, what would you say would be the oldest living thing on earth? If you're thinking along the lines of trees, you are on the right track!

Among some of the oldest living things on earth are the majestic California Seqouia Redwoods. Not only are these amazing trees the tallest in the world, but some of them are said to have been alive for over 4,000 years. 4,000 years! Think about how much has changed in the world in the past 20 years, let alone 4,000 years! And yet, these trees were standing while human civilizations rose and fell.

As impressive as the Sequoia Redwood lifespan is, there is one other group of trees that are said to be the oldest living things in the world. These are the Ancient Bristlecone Pines of California. The oldest living thing on this earth, as far as we know, is a Bristlecone Pine named "Methuselah". This tree was dated by it tree rings and found to be approximately 4,770 years.

Stop and think for a moment about how amazing it is that here, on this earth, we have living beings that have been alive for several millennia.