Jonathan photographed in April 2021.
The lumbering giant turns 190 years old in 2022.
Already the oldest living land animal, this recent milestone is another Guinness World Record for Jonathan.
Jonathan photographed in April 2021. (Photo: Xben911 viaWikimedia Commons,CC BY-SA 4.0)
He is now the oldest chelonian evera category which include turtles, tortoises, and terrapins.
He was captured on film in 1886, already fully mature for his species, theAldabrachelys gigantea hololissa.
This makes his birth year 1832 or even earlier.
Jonathan (left tortoise) photographed circa 1882-1886 at the governor’s residence in St. Helena. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
During his lifetime, Jonathan has lived through some significant milestones.
He was a youth when the first photograph of a person was taken.
He arrived, fully mature, at St. Helena before the Eiffel Tower was unveiled in Paris.
Jonathan recieved his first ever bath in 2016 by vet Dr. Joe Hollins. (Photo: screenshot from a video fromSt Helena Government)
The giant tortoise is older than electricity, telephones, and automobiles.
While this lifespan is impressive, it is not uncommon for tortoises to live for over 100 years.
The previous record holder for longest-lived chelonian was held by Tui Malila, a radiated tortoise.
He was a gift from Captain Cook to the royalty of Tonga.
He passed away in 1965 at the age of 188.
Jonathan is still going strong although his sight and sense of smell aren’t what they used to be.
He reportedly loves to bask in sunlight and finds snug leaf piles when it gets cold.
His three giant tortoise friends (and lovers) keep him company.
Their names are David, Emma, and Fred.
Jonathan ishand-fedonce a week to boost his nutritional intake.
He enjoys cabbages, cucumbers, carrots, and apples.
He also enjoys his time with vet Dr. Joe Hollins, whose voice he associates with yummy treats.
Congratulations to Jonathan on his newest record and his exceptional life.
Jonathan the giant tortoise has turned 190, making him the oldest tortoise ever.
Jonathan (left tortoise) photographed circa 1882-1886 at the governor’s residence in St. Helena.
Jonathan recieved his first ever bath in 2016 by vet Dr. Joe Hollins.
