Meet Jonathan, the Oldest Terrestrial Animal in the World

At 190 years old, Jonathan, who resides on the tiny Atlantic island of St. Helena, is the oldest known living terrestrial animal in the world.

The giant tortoise was brought to the island from the Seychelles in 1882, along with three other tortoises at about 50 years of age.

His age is estimated based on the fact that he was ‘fully mature’ when brought to St. Helena in 1882. ‘Fully mature’ means at least 50 years old, giving him a hatching date no later than 1832. So this means that when the photo below was taken, Jonathan was at least 182 years of age.

At 190 years old, Jonathan, who resides on the tiny Atlantic island of St. Helena, is the oldest known living terrestrial animal in the world.

The giant tortoise was brought to the island from the Seychelles in 1882, along with three other tortoises at about 50 years of age.

His age is estimated based on the fact that he was ‘fully mature’ when brought to St. Helena in 1882. ‘Fully mature’ means at least 50 years old, giving him a hatching date no later than 1832. So this means that when the photo below was taken, Jonathan was at least 182 years of age.