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− | A '''life span''', '''life expectancy''', or '''life cycle''' |
+ | A '''life span''', '''life expectancy''', or '''life cycle''' was the [[maximum]] or [[average]] [[length]] of time a [[lifeform]], [[material]], or [[object]] was projected or capable of living or lasting. Having an effectively unlimited life span was referred to as [[immortality]]. |
− | The |
+ | The life span of [[humanoid]] species was known to vary from less than a [[decade]] to as long as several [[millennia]]. Some [[non-corporeal species]] were known to have life spans exceeding several millennia. |
+ | Generally speaking, a life cycle was marked by the process of '''aging''', beginning at [[birth]] and ending with [[death]] – either prematurely or naturally. It might be divided into states, such as [[childhood]], [[adolescence]], [[adult]]hood, and [[old age]]. |
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− | :''For truly immortal species; see [[Immortality]].'' |
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The [[Capellan flower]], native of [[Capella IV]], had a life span of only a few hours. ({{TAS|The Counter-Clock Incident}}) |
The [[Capellan flower]], native of [[Capella IV]], had a life span of only a few hours. ({{TAS|The Counter-Clock Incident}}) |
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The [[swarming moth]]s of [[Gonal IV]] had a life span of only twenty hours. [[Jay Gordon Graas]] analyzed the [[insect]]s' life span as part of his [[primary school science fair]] project in [[2368]]. ({{TNG|Disaster}}) |
The [[swarming moth]]s of [[Gonal IV]] had a life span of only twenty hours. [[Jay Gordon Graas]] analyzed the [[insect]]s' life span as part of his [[primary school science fair]] project in [[2368]]. ({{TNG|Disaster}}) |
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− | The [[ |
+ | The [[Lyssarian Desert Larvae]], after becoming a [[mimetic simbiot]], exactly replicated the life cycle of the species it was mimicking at a rapidly accelerated rate. On average, the simbiot was born, grew old, and died in approximately fifteen days. ({{ENT|Similitude}}) |
− | The [[Ocampa]] had a |
+ | The [[Ocampa]] had a life span of only nine years. ({{VOY|Caretaker|Death Wish|Before and After|Fury}}) [[Suspiria]] developed [[technology]] that helped extend the Ocampa life span; {{dis|Tanis|Ocampa}}' father, for example, lived to be twenty years of age. ({{VOY|Cold Fire}}) |
− | Following an [[autopsy]] of a [[Xindi-Insectoid]], [[Doctor]] [[Phlox]] projected that this species of [[Xindi]] only had the |
+ | Following an [[autopsy]] of a [[Xindi-Insectoid]], [[Doctor]] [[Phlox]] projected that this species of [[Xindi]] only had the life span of about twelve [[Earth]] years. He then suggested that the Insectoid he conducted his autopsy on was about ten years of age, and was likely one of the elder members of its crew. ({{ENT|Hatchery}}) |
− | Most [[Jem'Hadar]] died young in battle; as such, it was rare for them to live past fifteen years of age. Few ever lived to the age of twenty, and those who do were awarded the title "[[Honored Elder]]s." As of the [[Dominion War]], No Jem'Hadar |
+ | Most [[Jem'Hadar]] died young in battle; as such, it was rare for them to live past fifteen years of age. Few ever lived to the age of twenty, and those who do were awarded the title "[[Honored Elder]]s." As of the [[Dominion War]], No Jem'Hadar had ever lived to the age of 30. ({{DS9|To the Death}}) |
− | [[Trill]] could live at least |
+ | [[Trill]] could live at least one hundred years. ({{DS9|Rejoined}}) |
− | {{bginfo|This is based on Sisko's assesment of "the rest of" [[Ezri Dax]]'s life (80 or 90 more years) in {{e|Afterimage}}. Assuming Trill don't mature much faster than Humans and Ezri was 28 like [[Nicole de Boer|her actress]], that might mean Trill could expect to live about 110 to 120 years. However, given that Ezri was still in training, she might have been intended to be younger than that.}} |
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+ | {{bginfo|This is based on the statement that [[Curzon Dax]] was late to his 100th birthday party.}} |
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− | {{bginfo|This is a lower limit, as [[Hudak]], the Antaran featured, was said to be able to live for another 60 years by Phlox. Assuming that Antarans mature at the same rate as humans, and that Hudak is thus about 49 just like [[Henry Stram|his actor]] at the time of filming, a normal lifespan of about 110 years can be speculated. It should be noted that Phlox' knowledge on Antaran biology might be sketchy, a fact he himself acknowledged.}} |
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+ | Ferengi might live over a century. ({{DS9|The Magnificent Ferengi}}) |
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⚫ | The average [[Human]] life span had gradually increased during their history. |
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− | {{bginfo|Making him the oldest confirmed Human seen in Star Trek, with the exception of Flint and users of suspended animation-like technology}} |
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+ | {{bginfo|This is based on [[Ishka]] claiming that after her [[ear]]s raised, her [[lobe]]s were firmer than they had been in over a century. The statement might be taken to imply that they could live at least another hundred years after the end of their prime.|''[[Legends of the Ferengi]]'', by [[Ira Steven Behr]] and [[Robert Hewitt Wolfe]], states that Ferengi could live up to three hundred years.}} |
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⚫ | Despite the normal limit on |
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⚫ | {{bginfo|No exact |
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+ | {{bginfo|This is based on Phlox's claim that [[Hudak]], an adult Antaran, was able to live for another sixty years. It should be noted that Phlox' knowledge on Antaran biology might be sketchy, a fact he himself acknowledged. Hudak appeared to be what in Humans would be called middle aged; [[Henry Stram|the actor]] playing him was 49 at the time of filming.}} |
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⚫ | [[Vulcan]]s were known to have life spans of |
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+ | One [[Drayan]] was ninety six years old when she reached the natural end of her life. ({{VOY|Innocence}}) |
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⚫ | The average [[Human]] life span had gradually increased during their history. The average life spans during the [[22nd century]] was about one hundred years. ({{ENT|Observer Effect}}) This average age was still roughly the same during the [[2250]], but had risen to 120 by the mid-[[24th century]]. {{incite}} However, at some point in history the average life span for Humans was only 35, and by [[1999]] it had become higher than a millennium earlier. ({{ENT|Similitude}}; {{VOY|11:59}}) [[Leonard McCoy]] had by [[2364]] reached the age of 137. ({{TNG|Encounter at Farpoint}}) |
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− | {{bginfo|The Krenim ship was out of time phase with the universe and thus the implication might be they lived so long only because they were not subject to the passage of time whilst on the ship.}} |
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+ | {{bginfo|This made McCoy the oldest confirmed Human seen in ''Star Trek'', with the exception of Flint and users of suspended animation-like technology|Dialogue in {{e|The Lorelei Signal}} implied that Kirk and McCoy (then about thirty-six and forty-two years old respectively) could only expect to live for another forty or perhaps fifty years. This was in a scenario in which they would not be able to access the medical technology of the Federation.}} |
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⚫ | Despite the normal limit on Human age, at least one Human, [[Flint]], lived for six thousand years for unknown reasons which were somehow dependent on the [[Earth]]'s environment. ({{TOS|Requiem for Methuselah}}) Another exception were Human [[Augment]]s, who had life spans twice as long as those of regular 22nd century Humans. ({{ENT|Borderland}}) |
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⚫ | {{bginfo|No exact life span has been given for Klingons, just approximates. In [[2370]], [[Odo]] observed that [[Kor]] "must be a hundred years old" and his "best friend," [[Koloth]], was "probably a hundred and fifty years old." This observation was made over one hundred years after their encounter with [[James Kirk]], when they were already accomplished adults. On the other hand, in {{e|The Time Trap}}, Kor complained that if his ship were immobilized for a century, by the end his entire crew would be dead. Of course, this was decades before all the actors playing the aforementioned Klingons would reprise their roles in DS9.}} |
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⚫ | [[Vulcan]]s were known to have life spans of two hundred years, which was considered to be exceptionally long by Federation standards. ({{ENT|Broken Bow}}; {{TNG|Unification I}}) [[Sarek]] of {{dis|Vulcan|planet}} lived to be 203 years of age. ({{TNG|Sarek}}) However, at some point in their history, the average life span of Vulcans was only 40. ({{ENT|Similitude}}) {{Trip Tucker}} scoffed at the idea of [[Mestral]], a Vulcan who lived on [[Earth]] beginning in the [[20th century]], remained there for the rest of his life, which could have been longer than 150 years. Tucker was especially averse to the idea that a Vulcan could live the rest of his life span on Earth, unnoticed, from the [[1950s]] through a period of time that included the terms of 30 [[President of the United States|United States Presidents]]. ({{ENT|Carbon Creek}}) |
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⚫ | {{bginfo|This is based on [[Annorax]] captaining the [[Krenim weapon ship]] for so long. However, since he didn't visually age during that time, Krenim life spans might be significantly longer.|The Krenim ship was out of time phase with the universe and thus the implication might be they lived so long only because they were not subject to the passage of time while on the ship.}} |
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{{bginfo|The [[Valtese]], being closely related, might have had similar life expectancies.}} |
{{bginfo|The [[Valtese]], being closely related, might have had similar life expectancies.}} |
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The [[Talosian]]s had life spans that were many times that of a Human's. ({{TOS|The Cage}}) |
The [[Talosian]]s had life spans that were many times that of a Human's. ({{TOS|The Cage}}) |
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− | [[Trill symbiont]]s were capable of living at least over 550 years. [[Trill]] hosts however |
+ | [[Trill symbiont]]s were capable of living at least over 550 years. [[Trill]] hosts however tended to live significantly shorter than the symbiont, resulting in a symbiont usually occupying many different hosts during its lifetime. |
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⚫ | [[El-Aurian]]s life spans were at least several hundred years. ({{TNG|Q Who}}) [[Guinan]] was also on Earth during the late 19th |
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⚫ | [[El-Aurian]]s life spans were at least several hundred years. ({{TNG|Q Who}}) [[Guinan]] was also on Earth during the late 19th century, making her at least 490 years old. ({{TNG|Time's Arrow|Time's Arrow, Part II}}) [[Guinan's father 001|Her father]] had reached 700 years by [[2369]]. ({{TNG|Rascals}}) The El-Aurian Doctor [[Tolian Soran]] was reported to be "over three hundred years old" in his biographical information. ({{film|7}}) |
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[[Cheron native]]s were also known to be extremely long lived. [[Bele]] claimed to have pursued [[Lokai]] for more than 50,000 years ({{TOS|Let That Be Your Last Battlefield}}) |
[[Cheron native]]s were also known to be extremely long lived. [[Bele]] claimed to have pursued [[Lokai]] for more than 50,000 years ({{TOS|Let That Be Your Last Battlefield}}) |
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[[Bevvox]], a [[bioplasmic organism]] who lived alone for a few millennia, was said to be somewhat sensitive about his age. ({{VOY|Think Tank}}) |
[[Bevvox]], a [[bioplasmic organism]] who lived alone for a few millennia, was said to be somewhat sensitive about his age. ({{VOY|Think Tank}}) |
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− | Another type of |
+ | Another type of bioplasmic organism, the [[Telepathic pitcher plant]], was estimated to be at least 200,000 years old. ({{VOY|Bliss}}) |
+ | A [[Magnetic organism]] was found to have survived on a derelict ship for 300,000,000 years. ({{TAS|Beyond the Farthest Star}}) |
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− | [[Denobulan]] life spans were never specified, Phlox once told Archer that they live "a long time". Additionally Phlox has to treat an patient whose species Denobulans had fought many times in the past, the Antarans ({{ENT|The Breach}}). Phlox states that his grandmother had lived through the last war, which was, earlier in the episode, stated as having occurred 300 years previously. This could indicate a generation every one hundred years. Given that the average human generation is close to 30 years, and we live around 60-90 years, it may be fair to say Denobulans live for 200-300 years. |
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+ | {{bginfo|Conversely, in {{e|Hope and Fear}} [[Arturis]] seemed to believe that those assimilated would spend the rest of eternity as Borg. Perhaps this is related to how in {{e|Imperfection}}, it was stated that when a drone was deactivated, its memories continued to reside in the Collective's consciousness.}} |
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⚫ | {{bginfo|Additionally, a deleted scene from {{ENT|E²}} established the |
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+ | Phlox once told Archer that [[Denobulan]]s live "a long time". ({{ENT|A Night in Sickbay}}) On another occasion, Phlox stated that [[Phlox's grandmother 001|his grandmother]] had lived through the last war between the Denobulans and the Antarans, which had taken place three hundred years previously. ({{ENT|The Breach}}) |
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⚫ | {{bginfo|Additionally, a deleted scene from {{ENT|E²}} established the [[Rigelian parrot]] as a bird known for its very long life span. [[Phlox]] was nonetheless surprised when it was still alive 117 years after he left it.|While {{film|9}} saw a group of [[Son'a]] a bit more then a century old, which were employing extensive life extension techniques yet who seemed to be at the limit of how far technology could bring them. Therefore, the natural life spans of Son'a and [[Ba'ku]] were presumably not much longer than a century at most.}} |
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⚫ | Several natural and unnatural conditions have been encountered that are known to hasten the aging process. For example, [[radiation]] has been known to accelerate aging, dramatically. ({{TOS|The Deadly Years}}) In [[2365]], a freak [[Thelusian flu]] [[antibody]] reaction caused a similarly rapid aging. ({{TNG|Unnatural Selection}}) |
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⚫ | Several natural and unnatural conditions have been encountered that are known to hasten the aging process. For example, [[radiation]] has been known to accelerate aging, dramatically, later known as a [[hyperaccelerated aging disease]]. ({{TOS|The Deadly Years}}; {{VOY|Tinker Tenor Doctor Spy}}) In [[2365]], a freak [[Thelusian flu]] [[antibody]] reaction caused a similarly rapid aging. ({{TNG|Unnatural Selection}}) |
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For slow and fatal diseases, a revised life expectancy was also usually given. As part of a (possibly false) diagnosis of [[Tuvan Syndrome]], [[Koval]] was expected to live another 20 or 25 years. ({{DS9|Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges}}) After [[Quark]] was diagnosed with [[Dorek Syndrome]], he was told that he had only about six days to live. ({{DS9|Body Parts}}) More humorously, [[Julian Bashir]] claimed that, due to the extreme old age associated with winning, the life expectancy for a [[Carrington Award]] winner was five to ten years. ({{DS9|Prophet Motive}}) |
For slow and fatal diseases, a revised life expectancy was also usually given. As part of a (possibly false) diagnosis of [[Tuvan Syndrome]], [[Koval]] was expected to live another 20 or 25 years. ({{DS9|Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges}}) After [[Quark]] was diagnosed with [[Dorek Syndrome]], he was told that he had only about six days to live. ({{DS9|Body Parts}}) More humorously, [[Julian Bashir]] claimed that, due to the extreme old age associated with winning, the life expectancy for a [[Carrington Award]] winner was five to ten years. ({{DS9|Prophet Motive}}) |
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More elementary, lifestyle conditions could also drastically reduce life expectancy. The life expectancy for prisoners sent to [[Rura Penthe]] was six months to a year. ({{ENT|Judgment}}) |
More elementary, lifestyle conditions could also drastically reduce life expectancy. The life expectancy for prisoners sent to [[Rura Penthe]] was six months to a year. ({{ENT|Judgment}}) |
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− | ==Extension of |
+ | ==Extension of life span== |
− | :''For methods of Rejuvenation (as opposed to just prolonging life), see [[Rejuvenation]]. |
+ | :''For methods of Rejuvenation (as opposed to just prolonging life), see [[Rejuvenation]].'' |
− | Likewise, several methods have also been found to slow the aging process |
+ | Likewise, several methods have also been found to slow the aging process, such as the [[life prolongation project]], albeit with negative side effects. ({{TOS|Miri}}). |
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+ | {{Bginfo|In a deleted scene from {{e|Similitude}}, [[Sim]] noted that both Humans and Vulcans had throughout their history successfully spent a lot of effort to heighten the average life spans of their species.}} |
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+ | According to [[Jadzia Dax]], regularly eating steamed [[Azna]] would add years to your life. ({{DS9|A Man Alone}}) |
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On the [[Dinaali]] [[homeworld]] some people were given [[Cytoglobin]] injections to prevent [[Blood vessel|arterial]] aging and thus increase life expectancy by 40%. ({{VOY|Critical Care}}) |
On the [[Dinaali]] [[homeworld]] some people were given [[Cytoglobin]] injections to prevent [[Blood vessel|arterial]] aging and thus increase life expectancy by 40%. ({{VOY|Critical Care}}) |
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− | Doctor [[Elias Giger]] claimed that his [[ |
+ | Doctor [[Elias Giger]] claimed that his [[cellular regeneration and entertainment chamber]] could effectively grant immortality, but this claim was considered dubious by the Federation scientific establishment. ({{DS9|In the Cards}}). |
The [[Son'a]] also applied intriguing methods of enhancing their life spans. ({{film|9}}) |
The [[Son'a]] also applied intriguing methods of enhancing their life spans. ({{film|9}}) |
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− | The [[Kobliad]], a [[extinction|dying]] race due to [[cellular degeneration]], were able to nonetheless prolong their |
+ | The [[Kobliad]], a [[extinction|dying]] race due to [[cellular degeneration]], were able to nonetheless prolong their life span using [[deuridium]] to stabilize their cell structure. A Kobliad named [[Rao Vantika]] went further and tried to prolong his death by experimenting with [[rejuvenation drug]]s, [[cryogenics]], and organ [[transplant]]s. ({{DS9|The Passenger}}) |
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+ | [[Bathar]] of [[Hodos]], a salesman traveling the [[Delta Quadrant]] in the [[24th century]], claimed to have a formula that stopped the aging process. In reality it was only a [[tripolymer]] [[enzyme]] though. ({{VOY|Memorial}}) |
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⚫ | Apart from actual changes in the pace of aging, The use of [[technology|technologies]] like [[cryonics]], [[stasis]] chambers and even [[transporter]]s have allowed individuals to temporary suspend their lives and therefore live into eras their normal life spans would not have normally allowed them to live. ({{TOS|Space Seed}}; {{TNG|The Neutral Zone|The Emissary|Relics}}; {{VOY|The 37's}}) |
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⚫ | There also existed spatial anomalies, such as the Nexus, which trapped people within alternate temporal realities thereby continuing their life span beyond normal measure and under special circumstance could allow them to occupy a later time-space than their genetics would normally allow. ({{film|7}}) |
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⚫ | Apart from actual changes in the pace of aging, The use of [[technology|technologies]] like [[cryonics]], [[stasis]] chambers and even [[transporter]]s have allowed individuals to temporary suspend their lives and therefore live into eras their normal |
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+ | [[Suspiria]] helped the [[Ocampa]] develop a [[technology]] to extend their life span. {{dis|Tanis|Ocampa}} and [[Ocampa Tanis' father 001|his father]] lived to 14 and 20 respectively. ({{VOY|Cold Fire}}) |
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⚫ | There also existed spatial anomalies, such as the Nexus, which trapped people within alternate temporal realities thereby continuing their |
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− | ==External |
+ | == External links == |
* {{wikipedia}} |
* {{wikipedia}} |
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+ | * {{wikipedia|Ageing}} |
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[[Category:Physiology]] |
[[Category:Physiology]] |
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+ | [[Category:Deleted and unused material in background]] |
Latest revision as of 21:06, 2 January 2024
A life span, life expectancy, or life cycle was the maximum or average length of time a lifeform, material, or object was projected or capable of living or lasting. Having an effectively unlimited life span was referred to as immortality.
The life span of humanoid species was known to vary from less than a decade to as long as several millennia. Some non-corporeal species were known to have life spans exceeding several millennia.
Generally speaking, a life cycle was marked by the process of aging, beginning at birth and ending with death – either prematurely or naturally. It might be divided into states, such as childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age.
Comparative life spans
The Capellan flower, native of Capella IV, had a life span of only a few hours. (TAS: "The Counter-Clock Incident")
The swarming moths of Gonal IV had a life span of only twenty hours. Jay Gordon Graas analyzed the insects' life span as part of his primary school science fair project in 2368. (TNG: "Disaster")
The Lyssarian Desert Larvae, after becoming a mimetic simbiot, exactly replicated the life cycle of the species it was mimicking at a rapidly accelerated rate. On average, the simbiot was born, grew old, and died in approximately fifteen days. (ENT: "Similitude")
The Ocampa had a life span of only nine years. (VOY: "Caretaker", "Death Wish", "Before and After", "Fury") Suspiria developed technology that helped extend the Ocampa life span; Tanis' father, for example, lived to be twenty years of age. (VOY: "Cold Fire")
Following an autopsy of a Xindi-Insectoid, Doctor Phlox projected that this species of Xindi only had the life span of about twelve Earth years. He then suggested that the Insectoid he conducted his autopsy on was about ten years of age, and was likely one of the elder members of its crew. (ENT: "Hatchery")
Most Jem'Hadar died young in battle; as such, it was rare for them to live past fifteen years of age. Few ever lived to the age of twenty, and those who do were awarded the title "Honored Elders." As of the Dominion War, No Jem'Hadar had ever lived to the age of 30. (DS9: "To the Death")
Trill could live at least one hundred years. (DS9: "Rejoined")
During the 24th century, Bajorans could live to at least one hundred years. Els Renora was one such individual to live to the century mark. (DS9: "Dax")
Ferengi might live over a century. (DS9: "The Magnificent Ferengi")
Antarans of the 22nd century were thought to generally live at least sixty additional years after reaching adulthood. (ENT: "The Breach")
One Drayan was ninety six years old when she reached the natural end of her life. (VOY: "Innocence")
The average Human life span had gradually increased during their history. The average life spans during the 22nd century was about one hundred years. (ENT: "Observer Effect") This average age was still roughly the same during the 2250, but had risen to 120 by the mid-24th century. (citation needed • edit) However, at some point in history the average life span for Humans was only 35, and by 1999 it had become higher than a millennium earlier. (ENT: "Similitude"; VOY: "11:59") Leonard McCoy had by 2364 reached the age of 137. (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint")
Despite the normal limit on Human age, at least one Human, Flint, lived for six thousand years for unknown reasons which were somehow dependent on the Earth's environment. (TOS: "Requiem for Methuselah") Another exception were Human Augments, who had life spans twice as long as those of regular 22nd century Humans. (ENT: "Borderland")
Klingons were capable of living well over a century in age. Individuals such as Kang, Koloth, Kor, and Arne Darvin lived well over one hundred years. (DS9: "Blood Oath", "Trials and Tribble-ations", "Once More Unto the Breach")
Vulcans were known to have life spans of two hundred years, which was considered to be exceptionally long by Federation standards. (ENT: "Broken Bow"; TNG: "Unification I") Sarek of Vulcan lived to be 203 years of age. (TNG: "Sarek") However, at some point in their history, the average life span of Vulcans was only 40. (ENT: "Similitude") Trip Tucker scoffed at the idea of Mestral, a Vulcan who lived on Earth beginning in the 20th century, remained there for the rest of his life, which could have been longer than 150 years. Tucker was especially averse to the idea that a Vulcan could live the rest of his life span on Earth, unnoticed, from the 1950s through a period of time that included the terms of 30 United States Presidents. (ENT: "Carbon Creek")
Krenim could live at least two hundred years. (VOY: "Year of Hell")
At least one Kriosian, Briam, reached two hundred years, which was considered old. (TNG: "The Perfect Mate")
The Talosians had life spans that were many times that of a Human's. (TOS: "The Cage")
Trill symbionts were capable of living at least over 550 years. Trill hosts however tended to live significantly shorter than the symbiont, resulting in a symbiont usually occupying many different hosts during its lifetime.
Changelings had an expected life span of at least several centuries. (DS9: "Emissary", "The Search, Part II")
The Axanar had an average life span of 400 years. (ENT: "Fight or Flight") Tarquin's species also lived for at least four hundred years. Tarquin remarked that few species have life spans as long as his. (ENT: "Exile")
El-Aurians life spans were at least several hundred years. (TNG: "Q Who") Guinan was also on Earth during the late 19th century, making her at least 490 years old. (TNG: "Time's Arrow", "Time's Arrow, Part II") Her father had reached 700 years by 2369. (TNG: "Rascals") The El-Aurian Doctor Tolian Soran was reported to be "over three hundred years old" in his biographical information. (Star Trek Generations)
The Redjac entity had an extremely long life span, at least 379 years. It was speculated by Spock to be virtually immortal. (TOS: "Wolf in the Fold")
While the life span of regular Horta is unknown, the Mother Horta lived for 50,000 years. TOS: "The Devil in the Dark")
Cheron natives were also known to be extremely long lived. Bele claimed to have pursued Lokai for more than 50,000 years (TOS: "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield")
Bevvox, a bioplasmic organism who lived alone for a few millennia, was said to be somewhat sensitive about his age. (VOY: "Think Tank")
Another type of bioplasmic organism, the Telepathic pitcher plant, was estimated to be at least 200,000 years old. (VOY: "Bliss")
A Magnetic organism was found to have survived on a derelict ship for 300,000,000 years. (TAS: "Beyond the Farthest Star")
Borg life spans were the natural life span of whatever species the drone was originally assimilated from, except when the individual was assimilated as a child, in which case maturation was accelerated. (VOY: "Survival Instinct", "Collective")
Phlox once told Archer that Denobulans live "a long time". (ENT: "A Night in Sickbay") On another occasion, Phlox stated that his grandmother had lived through the last war between the Denobulans and the Antarans, which had taken place three hundred years previously. (ENT: "The Breach")
Reduction of life span
Several natural and unnatural conditions have been encountered that are known to hasten the aging process. For example, radiation has been known to accelerate aging, dramatically, later known as a hyperaccelerated aging disease. (TOS: "The Deadly Years"; VOY: "Tinker Tenor Doctor Spy") In 2365, a freak Thelusian flu antibody reaction caused a similarly rapid aging. (TNG: "Unnatural Selection")
Delta radiation, emitted by mirror universe warp five engines, was also very harmful. It was said that, for each year a Human spent working next to a warp core, he lost a decade of his life. (ENT: "In a Mirror, Darkly")
For slow and fatal diseases, a revised life expectancy was also usually given. As part of a (possibly false) diagnosis of Tuvan Syndrome, Koval was expected to live another 20 or 25 years. (DS9: "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges") After Quark was diagnosed with Dorek Syndrome, he was told that he had only about six days to live. (DS9: "Body Parts") More humorously, Julian Bashir claimed that, due to the extreme old age associated with winning, the life expectancy for a Carrington Award winner was five to ten years. (DS9: "Prophet Motive")
More elementary, lifestyle conditions could also drastically reduce life expectancy. The life expectancy for prisoners sent to Rura Penthe was six months to a year. (ENT: "Judgment")
Extension of life span
- For methods of Rejuvenation (as opposed to just prolonging life), see Rejuvenation.
Likewise, several methods have also been found to slow the aging process, such as the life prolongation project, albeit with negative side effects. (TOS: "Miri").
According to Jadzia Dax, regularly eating steamed Azna would add years to your life. (DS9: "A Man Alone")
On the Dinaali homeworld some people were given Cytoglobin injections to prevent arterial aging and thus increase life expectancy by 40%. (VOY: "Critical Care")
Doctor Elias Giger claimed that his cellular regeneration and entertainment chamber could effectively grant immortality, but this claim was considered dubious by the Federation scientific establishment. (DS9: "In the Cards").
The Son'a also applied intriguing methods of enhancing their life spans. (Star Trek: Insurrection)
The Kobliad, a dying race due to cellular degeneration, were able to nonetheless prolong their life span using deuridium to stabilize their cell structure. A Kobliad named Rao Vantika went further and tried to prolong his death by experimenting with rejuvenation drugs, cryogenics, and organ transplants. (DS9: "The Passenger")
Bathar of Hodos, a salesman traveling the Delta Quadrant in the 24th century, claimed to have a formula that stopped the aging process. In reality it was only a tripolymer enzyme though. (VOY: "Memorial")
Apart from actual changes in the pace of aging, The use of technologies like cryonics, stasis chambers and even transporters have allowed individuals to temporary suspend their lives and therefore live into eras their normal life spans would not have normally allowed them to live. (TOS: "Space Seed"; TNG: "The Neutral Zone", "The Emissary", "Relics"; VOY: "The 37's")
There also existed spatial anomalies, such as the Nexus, which trapped people within alternate temporal realities thereby continuing their life span beyond normal measure and under special circumstance could allow them to occupy a later time-space than their genetics would normally allow. (Star Trek Generations)
Suspiria helped the Ocampa develop a technology to extend their life span. Tanis and his father lived to 14 and 20 respectively. (VOY: "Cold Fire")