Black Coral

Corals appear to be beautiful underwater rocks and plants, but they are actually the exoskeletons of invertebrates called polyps. These polyps constantly proliferate and replace themselves by producing a genetically identical duplicate, causing the coral exoskeleton structure to grow larger and larger over time. Corals, unlike Greenland sharks or ocean quahog clams, are made up of several similar creatures; therefore, a coral's longevity is more of a collaborative effort.

They are most commonly found on continental slopes less than 50 m (164 ft) deep. Throughout its existence, a black coral reproduces both sexually and asexually. Many black corals offer habitat, food, and safety to other creatures.

Deep-water black corals (Leiopathes sp.) are among the longest-lived corals, surviving for hundreds of years or more. Live Science earlier stated that black coral specimens discovered off the coast of Hawaii were 4,265 years old.

Age: 4,000+ years old