The animal with the shortest lifespan is the mayfly.
Mayflies are insects that live for a very short time, typically only a few hours or days. Their adult stage is entirely focused on mating and laying eggs.
Here are some key facts about mayflies:
- Nymph stage: Mayflies spend most of their lives as nymphs, living underwater and feeding on algae and other aquatic plants.
- Adult stage: The adult stage is very short, with the sole purpose of reproduction. They lack functional mouthparts and cannot eat.
- Lifespan: Depending on the species, mayflies can live for as little as 24 hours or as long as a few days.
Other animals with short lifespans include:
- Housefly: 2-4 weeks
- Fruit fly: 1-2 months
- Mosquito: 1-2 weeks
- Ant: 1-2 years (queen ants can live much longer)
While these animals have short lifespans, they play important roles in their ecosystems.
