Harriet the tortoise is recognized by the Guinness World Records as the oldest living animal in the world.
This Galapagos tortoise, the oldest known tortoise in the world, celebrated her 175th birthday today (Tuesday) in Australia.
Many people believe that Harriet was once a pet of Charles Darwin.
It is believed that she was captured off the coast of Ecuador in the 1830s and was studied by the British scientist while he was developing his theory of evolution.
Charles Darwin brought back several young tortoises after his voyage on the HMS Beagle.
It is thought that Harriet was among these tortoises, although no one can say for certain.
Famous Animal
One theory suggests that Harriet arrived in Australia after being given to a naval officer who had moved from England to live in Brisbane.
DNA testing confirmed that this giant tortoise was born in 1830, just a few years before Darwin’s trip to the Galapagos Islands.
However, Harriet belongs to a species of tortoise from an island that Darwin never visited.
If she was indeed brought back by Darwin for study, she would have only been the size of a dinner plate at that time.
Now, she weighs 150 kilograms and is as large as a dining table, and she is one of the most famous animals at the Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland.
Every morning, Harriet is given a thorough bath and follows a diet consisting of green peas and large garlic chives.
The Guinness World Records states that she is the oldest living animal in the world.
Those who care for her say that her longevity is attributed to the fact that she has never laid eggs and enjoys a carefree life.
