Bats may hold the key to unlocking the secret to a long life because of their ability to hibernate and fight infection, experts say.
A study by the University of Maryland has found if humans were able to harness their adaptations, mankind could live up to 240 years old.
Four bat species have been identified that have evolved 'extreme longevity' traits which allow them to live at least four times longer than other bats, scientists say.
Horseshoe bats, long-eared bats, the common vampire bat and at least one mouse-eared bats live at least four times longer as mammals of a similar size.
Scroll down for video
Four bat species have been identified that have evolved 'extreme longevity' traits which allow them to live at least four times longer than other bats, scientists say. If this superior lifespan was applied to humans, it would be the equivalent of a modern humans living up to 240 years
By studying the evolutionary traits of most known bats species, scientists found that those which spent more time hibernating or had the ability to conserve energy more effectively could live up to eight times longer.
Longevity is often correlated to body size in animals, with larger species generally living longer than smaller ones.
An African elephant can live as long as 70 years, while a common house mouse typically lives only one to three years.
Humans are considered relatively long-lived animals, tending to live about four times longer than most other mammals when adjusted for size.
But the longevity of a bat is even more astounding given their relatively small size.
Some bats can live for 40 years - eight times longer than similarly sized mammals.
Professor Gerald Wilkinson at University of Maryland and lead author of the latest study, said: 'If we lived as long as bats, adjusted for size, we could live 240 years.
'Everybody wants to know how these animals can live so long. This kind of work can help us get to the answers.'
The team analysed traits that were known to correlate with longevity: body size, cave use and hibernation, as well as those not previously considered, such as size differences between males and females.
Professor Wilkinson added: 'Of the lineages of bats that live a long time, three of them
