The world’s oldest tortoise, Jonathan, is celebrating his birthday. Jonathan the Tortoise was born in 1832. Jonathan is the oldest living creature on earth. Guinness World Records also gave it the title of oldest tortoise. Its scientific name is Aldabrachelys gigantea hololissa. Giant tortoises in the Seychelles usually live to be 50 years old.
Jonathan, who doesn’t hesitate to get too close to people, has some age-related issues. However, the veterinary department provides Jonathan with all the nutrients he needs.
Recently, Nigel Phillips, the current governor of the South Atlantic island of St. Helena, announced Jonathan’s official birthday as December 4, 1832. The tortoise was first brought to the British overseas territory of St Helena in 1882 from the Seychelles as a gift to the then Governor William Grey-Wilson. Although there is no record of its birth with the local government, this great-grandfather turtle has witnessed 39 US presidents, World War I, World War II and the Russian Revolution. Jonathan was born before the reign of Queen Victoria. Favorite foods are cabbage, cucumber, apple and carrot
Some turtles are reported to live up to 200 to 250 years. Scientists gave this figure after a study of Aldabra tortoises. Before Jonathan, the Aldabra Tortoise was the oldest living tortoise in the world, living over 250 years.
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