Jonathan (tortoise)

Male Seychelles giant tortoise

Jonathan (hatched c. 1832, 191−192 years old) is a Seychelles giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea hololissa), a subspecies of the Aldabra giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea). He is the oldest known living land animal in the world at 191 years old.

Jonathan
Jonathan in April 2021.
SpeciesSeychelles giant tortoise
SexMale
HatchedDecember 4, 1832 (age 191)
Seychelles, British Mauritius
ResidenceSaint Helena
Mate(s)Frederik[a] (1991–present)
Weight150-200 kg (331-441 lb)

Jonathan lives on the island of Saint Helena, a British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic Ocean.[1] A photograph taken in 1886 featuring Jonathan exists.

Biography change

Jonathan hatched around 1832 in Seychelles (at the time was a British colony). Jonathan was among three tortoises brought to Saint Helena from the Seychelles in 1882.

He was named by Governor Spencer Davis during the 1930s. Jonathan has lived through 31 governors of the island. He lives at Plantation House, the official residence of the Governor. He is also featured on the Saint Helena five-pence coin.

Related pages change

References change

  1. Warfield, Kristen (22 March 2019). "Meet Jonathan, The Oldest-Known Animal In The World". The Dodo. Retrieved 6 April 2020.

Other websites change