The animals with the shortest lifespans in the world

Posted by Lucy May 22, 2023 News Tags: 3 Min Read

There are animal species that only exist for a very short period of time to fulfill their “mission.” Below is a list of the shortest-lived animal species.

The Animals With The Shortest Lifespans 1
The lifespan of mayflies lasts only for a day, and most of their time is spent in nymph form. They emerge from their nymphal stage as fully-grown mayflies and dance gracefully on the water’s surface, creating a stunning spectacle, just before they die.
The Animals With The Shortest Lifespans 2
Gastrotricha, microorganisms, are incredibly small in size. Their life cycle spans only three days as they serve as a food source for other small fish species within the same marine ecosystem.
The Animals With The Shortest Lifespans 3
Flying ants, also known as “alates,” have a life cycle of no more than three weeks. Male ants die shortly after mating with the queen ant.
The Animals With The Shortest Lifespans 4
The lifespan of houseflies is typically around four weeks, while wild flies have even shorter lifespans, typically less than three weeks.
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The lifespan of over 5,000 species of dragonflies worldwide does not exceed half a year due to their delicate nature and vulnerability to cold temperatures. They are also a delicious prey for many other animals.
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House mice have a lifespan of about one year, or even just a few months, due to factors such as food poisoning and predation from natural predators like cats and snakes.
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The lifespan of most species of flowering bamboo in the world does not exceed one year, and this may be due to genetic factors inherited from their ancestors in the northern and eastern regions of Madagascar.
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Mosquitofish, scientifically known as Gambusia affinis, primarily feeds on mosquito larvae. The average lifespan of these fish is only about 2 years.
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Guinea pig is one of the animals with the shortest lifespan in the world, living less than 4 years on average.
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House rabbits have a lifespan of around 8 years due to their delicate digestive systems. Female rabbits are also prone to developing uterine cancer, which contributes to their shorter lifespan.

Indeed, some animals have the potential for long lifespans in ideal environments compared to many other species. However, due to predation and diseases, the average lifespan of these animals tends to be relatively short.

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