At 192 Jonathan the tortoise is the world's oldest living land animal

Meet Jonathan the tortoise who, at 192 years old is the world's oldest living land animal. This Seychelles giant tortoise could in fact be much older, but it is estimated that he is at least 192 as of 2024.

Jonathan, the name the tortoise has gone by for countless decades, was gifted with vegetables instead of cake during his three-day birthday celebration in December 2022, an occasion which earned him the title of oldest known living land animal. This birthday was especially important as he reached the ripe old age of 190. He is now 192.

Living on the island of Saint Helena since he was brought there in 1882, Jonathan was a gift to Sir Spencer Davis—the island's governor. 

Since then, Jonathan has watched the world turn around him and become somewhat of an international celebrity. 

Back in 1991, Jonathan had a well-publicized 26-year relationship with Frederica from which there were no offspring. 

Frederica’s relationship with Jonathan was quite puzzling to veterinarians at the time but it was later revealed that Frederica was actually Frederic, which would explain why the couple was never able to produce any baby tortoises. 

Jonathan is currently known for being the oldest animal alive and holds the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest chelonian—a category that includes tortoises, turtles, and terrapins—ever recorded. 

Photo by Facebook @GuinnessWorldRecords 

“Jonathan’s age is an estimation based on the fact that he was fully mature, and hence at least 50 years old, when he arrived in Saint Helena from Seychelles in 1882,” Guinness World Records noted, “In all likelihood, he is even older than we think.”

Photo by Facebook @GuinnessWorldRecords 

But Jonathan isn’t just an international celebrity. On Saint Helena, he has become quite the famous tourist attraction and was even featured on the reverse side of the island's local five-pence piece. 

Photo by www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175264331178

While Jonathan’s age does seem to be catching up with him—he is covered in wrinkles, lacks a sense of smell, and is blind with cataracts—he seems to be in good health. 

Photo by Facebook @wildheartwildlifefoundation

Jonathan has "come through the winter well", wrote the St. Helena Government back in January of 2022, "He grazes well now, but is unaware of food if we simply place it on the ground."

"The Veterinary Section is still feeding him by hand once a week to boost his calories, vitamins, minerals, and trace elements, as he is blind and has no sense of smell." the update continued. 

"His hearing though is excellent and he loves the company of humans and responds well to his vet Joe Hollins' voice as he associates him with a feast." the update added. 

Despite missing most of his sense of sight and smell, Jonathan seems to have plenty of energy left for daily activities according to his caregivers. 

“In spite of his age, Jonathan still has good libido and is seen frequently to mate with Emma and sometimes Fred – animals are often not particularly gender-sensitive!" Jonathan’s veterinarian Joe Hollins revealed.

The previous oldest known chelonian prior to Jonathan was Tu’i Malia, a radiated tortoise that was given to the royal family of Tonga by the British explorer James Cook and died at the age of 188 in 1965.  

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