Jonathan, the word’s oldest known living land animal, turned 191 years old, reports Guinness World Records.
Believed to have been born on 1832, the Seychelles giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea hololissa) has surpassed his species’ average life expectancy of 150 years. In 2021, Jonathan took the title of oldest turtle/chelonian from Tu’i Malila (c. 1777–1965), a radiated tortoise that lived to be at least 188.
“In spite of losing his sense of smell and being virtually blind from cataracts, his appetite remains keen,” says Joe Hollins, Jonathan’s long-time veterinarian and primary caretaker. “He is still being hand-fed once a week with a fortifying helping of fruit and vegetables by a small, dedicated team. This not only supplements his calories but provides those essential drivers of his metabolism: vitamins, minerals, and trace elements.”
Jonathan was estimated to be at least 50 years old when he was brought to the island of St. Helena, a British overseas territory in the South Atlantic Ocean. According to Guinness World Records, the tortoise’s record-breaking age is a “conservative estimate,” which means Jonathan could actually be even older.
Jonathan lives at the Plantation House, the residence of St. Helena’s governor, with three other giant tortoises: David and Emma, both are approximately 55 years old, and 32-year-old Frederik. According to Hollins, the tortoise remains in good health. “All the indications at present make us hopeful that he will reach his third century – if indeed he hasn’t done so already!” he adds.