Without doubt, it’s a peculiar sight to watch the oldest tortoise in the world named Jonathan stretch his neck and limbs out of his shell while enjoying the sunrays in the Saint Helena territory in the South Atlantic.
And, some may even think the creature may be dying, considering his age.
With his 187 years, Jonathan has far exceeded the usual 150-year lifespan of this species and thus, became the oldest living land animal in the whole world.
Jonathan Has Been Recognized by the Guinness World Records
The tortoise has been recognized as the oldest living land animal in the world by the Guinness World Records.
With his estimated year of birth being 1832, this reptile has lived through terms of 39 US presidents, 2 world wars, and the invention of the light bulb.
He came to the Saint Helena region in the period of 1882 when he was approximately 50.
He was brought here to be a gift for the governor of the Overseas British Territory at the time, William Grey-Wilson, and has been living here ever since.
However, his deep age isn’t without consequences. The animal is almost totally blind from cataracts and has lost its sense of smell. The veterinarians who care for Jonathan make sure he’s fed with nutritious food and a diet rich in veggies.
Jonathan Is still Enjoying the Pleasures of Life
Believed to be a rare giant tortoise from the Seychelles, he shares the land with three of his other shelled friends, that is, Fred, David, and Emma.
If he keeps on living even more, he’ll soon set the all-time Guinness World Record for a chelonian lifespan that’s currently held by the tortoise Tu’I Malila that passed away in 1965 at the age of 188!
Despite its old age, the tortoise hasn’t lost the taste for the pleasures of life. The island residents note that he enjoys copulating with Emma and enjoying dalliances with Fred.
The current governor Lisa Philips sometimes has to go out and put the tortoises back on their feet if they fall off during these encounters.
She jokingly said in 2017 that this wasn’t in the job description.
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