Are there any animals with a long life span?

[AmerginLiath]

The oldest living chimp is Cheeta, the chimp who starred in the Tarzan films and Bedtime for Bonzo -- he's still alive at 71 and is living healthy in retirement in California, mostly spending his time watching TV and painting, as well as playing piano and 'reading' National Geographic...

He's outlived the whole Tarzan cast and is healthier (he loves drive-thru fast food) than his Bonzo costar, my personal saint Ronald Reagan!

 

[Maitre Du Donjon]

The Giant Tortoise lives the longest, about 177 years in captivity, and the gastrotrich (a minute aquatic animal) lives the shortest--as short as a three days.

Of course, there are insects that barely live a day...

 

[s/LaSH]

Isn't there a kind of mollusc that can live for centuries? I'm not sure, but octopi are molluscs (not that that proves anything, of course).

If we're talking about familiars, I see no problem with the assumption that their lifeforce is bound up with that of their master. If, on the other hand, we're talking about animal companions, then they're just the result of a spell cast before play, aren't we? They're just normal animals the druid has charmed. No special benefits unless (perhaps) you Awaken them (if they get nigh-human intellect from Awakening, then it'll take them quite a while to learn like humans - about 10-20 years - and not many animals live that long - just a thought).

 

[Valiantheart]

Crocs and Sharks are both believed to live far in excess of 100 years.

 

[Dave G]

Use the tortoise! Get it a ring of speed and a hat of bull's strength, customize a saddle and re-enact the glories of Mario World!

 

[Mark]

oddly enough, bufo fowleri, the common brown toad or wood toad or fowlers toad found throughout north america can live to be 35 in the wild!! a toad!

As if there needs to be another reason to take the toad...