The island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic is celebrating the birthday of the world’s oldest living land animal: the Seychelles giant tortoise Jonathan, who turns 190.
The island governor’s house, where Jonathan spent most of his life, will be open for three days to visitors who want to celebrate the “historic milestone”.
The authorities of the island – a British overseas territory – have also issued a series of commemorative stamps.
While there are no exact records of his birth, Jonathan is believed to have been born around 1832.
It was brought to St Helena from the Seychelles in 1882 as a gift for Sir William Grey-Wilson who later became governor.
According to Matt Joshua, head of the St. Helena tourist office, Jonathan could be as old as 200 years old.
According to Guinness World Records, Jonathan is also the oldest Chelonian of all time, a category that includes all turtles, tortoises and tortoises.
The oldest Chelonian to date was Tu’i Malila, a radiated tortoise who lived to be at least 188 years old. Tu’i Malila was given to the Tongan royal family by British explorer Captain James Cook around 1777 and he died in 1965.
Life as the oldest turtle in the world
Jonathan is something of a celebrity on St. Helena. The old animal lives with three other giant turtles: David, Emma and Fred.
Although Jonathan is blind from old age and no longer has a sense of smell, he has excellent hearing. According to Guinness World Records, he responds very well to the sound of his vet’s voice.
Although some of his senses are now on the wane, Guinness World Records says Jonathan still has plenty of energy, although this depends on the weather.
“On balmy days, it sunbathes, stretching its long neck and legs out of its shell to absorb the heat and transfer it to its core,” says Hollins.
When it’s colder, he prefers to dig in leaves or grass clippings and stay there all day.”
Hollins added: “Despite his age, Jonathan still has a good libido and is often seen mating with Emma and sometimes Fred – animals are often not particularly sensitive to gender!”
