Friday, Jul 24, 2026 The claims desk. Receipts included. POWERED BY LENZ
IsThis

SCIENCE

The Claim

Some species are biologically immortal and can potentially live indefinitely.

The Short Version

Some organisms (e.g., hydra; “immortal jellyfish”) show negligible senescence or can revert life stages, which is sometimes called “biological immortality.” But the cited sources often hedge (“in theory,” “don’t seem to age”), and none show individuals actually living indefinitely in nature. Without that context, the claim overstates what’s proven.

Caveats

  • “Biological immortality” is a narrow term (negligible senescence/life-cycle reset), not proof an individual will live forever or can’t die from disease, predation, or starvation.
  • Key supporting sources are popular/secondary and use hedged language; stronger primary research evidence for indefinite lifespan is not established here.
  • Evidence beyond the best-known cases (e.g., planaria) is weaker and often mechanism-based, which doesn’t by itself prove indefinite survival.

The Receipts

  1. Immortal jellyfish: the secret to cheating death

    Natural History Museum London

  2. Are any animals truly 'immortal'? These creatures defy...

    Popular Science

  3. The animals that can live forever - Science for curious minds

    Science for curious minds

  4. The animals that can live forever

    Science for Curious Minds (Australian Science)

  5. Is Aging Inevitable? – A Look At The Animals Who Don't Age

    Lifespan.io

  6. The 'Biological Immortality' in Certain Animal Species

    SpaceFed

  7. The “Biological Immortality” in Certain Animal Species

    Unified Science In Perspective

More Fact Checks