According to Fox News, Jonathan first arrived at his current home on Saint Helena Island in the South Atlantic in 1882. At that time, the tortoise was believed to be 50 years old.
Jonathan becomes the oldest land animal in the world. (Photo: Gianluigi Guercia/AFP).
Now, at the age of 190, Jonathan measures 122 cm in length, maintaining the same size since his arrival on the island. Jonathan is a Seychelles giant tortoise, reaching full maturity at 50 years old.
Some naturalists suggest he may even be older. Despite his long life, Jonathan only gained worldwide attention in 2008 when the Independent reported that he was 176 years old.
According to the report, Jonathan has outlived the average lifespan of a Seychelles giant tortoise, which is 150 years. The tortoise was only 5 years old when the Queen of England ascended to the throne and has lived through two World Wars. He has also survived 39 U.S. presidential terms.
Estimated to have been born in 1832, Jonathan has spent most of his life in the governor’s estate. He can be seen as a symbol of the island. Jonathan’s image even appears on the reverse side of the 5-pence coin of Saint Helena.
Scientists have even studied Jonathan to determine potential health benefits from his diet and cells. Since Jonathan’s cells do not mutate in the same way as human cells, researchers hope he may reveal secrets to combating cancer in humans.
According to CNN, in Saint Helena, Jonathan is truly a celebrity. He lives with three other giant tortoises named David, Emma, and Fred.
Despite his old age causing him to lose his sight and sense of smell, Jonathan’s hearing remains sharp, and he still responds well to the sounds of his veterinarian caring for him.
Despite his advanced age, Jonathan regularly mates with Emma (the female tortoise) and occasionally with Fred (the male tortoise).
