Holothuria whitmaei sea cucumber can live over 120 years

A study published in the journal iScience reveals that the sea cucumber species Holothuria whitmaei can live for more than 120 years. Found in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, this species is currently threatened with extinction due to being consumed as a delicacy.

The research, which began in 2000 at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, utilized DNA sampling to track individual animals over two decades. By comparing genetic material collected in 2000 with new samples found in 2024, researchers identified 31 individuals that were the same animals studied 24 years prior.

Interestingly, the study noted that the animals did not increase in size over time; instead, they were observed to be lighter and smaller on average than they were at the start of the study. While the cause of this reduction in size and weight remains unclear, researchers suggest it could be linked to environmental changes or natural biological variations. The low annual mortality rate suggests that population recovery for this species may be significantly slower than previously estimated.