Tortoise Crowned World Record Holder as Oldest Land Animal on the Planet
Imagine celebrating your hundredth birthday, then 150th, and then your 191st and still going strong. Impossible right? It might be for us humans, but for Jonathan the tortoise it's a reality. Jonathan lives in Saint Helena, a British island in the South Atlantic Ocean. He's lived there for the last 140 years or so, after he was gifted to a governor there back in 1882 when he was already at least 50 years old.
@Pubity shared the video on Wednesday, December 13th in honor of his 191st birthday and Guiness World Record as the oldest living land animal walking the earth. Experts think he might be older than 192 but use that as his verifiable age. He's an old, old man!
Wow! Imagine the things this giant tortoise has seen and experienced. @Pubity's video points out that he's lived through 40 U.S. presidents, 8 British monarchs, 2 world wars, the civil war, the invention of the lightbulb, plumbing, and so much more. It's crazy to think how much has changed since he was born!
Related: Tiny Tortoise Celebrates Birthday With Larger-Than-Life Celebration
Jonathan is the Oldest Living Animal on Earth
What a title to have! This guy isn't showing any signs of slowing down, but according to this MSN article, he is experiencing some age-related issues. His long-time vet shared that he "can no longer smell, and he’s almost entirely blind from cataracts. However, he has a “keen” appetite and seems to be healthy and happy."
These giant tortoises live on average about 150 years, which makes Jonathan that much more special. He's a literal dinosaur!
Commenters were just as taken aback as I was when thinking of how incredible his age really is. @Amanda Long shared, "Crazy to think all the people in the world when he was born are gone now." @RatCliff joked, "He doesn’t look a day over 167." @Magenta.Paine said, "Love him... total proof he is a dinosaur". Another commenter pointed out, "He looks like such a grumpy little old man LOL!"
Jonathan is fed fruits and veggies once a week, and his vet explained, "This not only supplements his calories but provides those essential drivers of his metabolism: vitamins, minerals and trace elements.” They say a healthy diet is one of the keys to aging gracefully, and it looks like Jonathan proves it. Happy Birthday to him!
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