It’s not every day you meet someone — or something — that’s been around since before the lightbulb was invented, before the telephone rang for the first time, or before most modern countries were even formed. But nestled quietly on the remote island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean lives a creature that has seen it all.
His name is Jonathan, and he’s a giant tortoise. But not just any tortoise. Jonathan is officially the oldest known living land animal on Earth — and recently, he just got a little older.
A Life That Spans Centuries
It’s hard to wrap your head around just how long Jonathan has been alive. Records show he was born around 1832, though recent reviews of historical documents and photographs have led experts to suggest that he might be even older than originally believed. That means Jonathan could be over 193 years old — older than the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, and even the first postage stamp.
Imagine that. While generations of humans have lived and died, while empires have risen and fallen, Jonathan has simply… kept walking. Slow and steady, just as you’d expect from a tortoise.
A Witness to History
When Jonathan hatched from his egg, Queen Victoria was just beginning her reign in the UK. The American Civil War hadn’t yet happened. Charles Darwin was still years away from publishing On the Origin of Species. And yet, Jonathan was already nibbling at leaves under the tropical sun.
He arrived on St. Helena in 1882 as a gift from the Seychelles, fully grown — meaning he was already at least 50 years old at the time. Since then, he’s lived on the grounds of the island’s governor’s residence, Plantation House, peacefully grazing and basking in the sun, watched over by caretakers who’ve long since passed into history themselves.
Aging Gracefully (With a Little Help)
Like many elderly creatures, Jonathan has his share of challenges. He’s blind, likely from cataracts, and can’t smellanymore — but he still has a healthy appetite. His caretakers feed him by hand, giving him a diet of fruits and vegetables that he’s come to love. Bananas are a favorite — though they had to stop feeding him too many because they gave him soft beak issues (yes, even tortoises can have dental problems!).
He’s not alone, either. Jonathan shares his home with three younger tortoises — David, Emma, and Fred. Despite his age, he’s still been known to show a bit of romantic interest now and then, proving that some things really don’t change with time.
A Global Symbol of Resilience
Jonathan has become more than just a local curiosity — he’s a global icon of endurance. In 2022, he made it into the Guinness World Records as the oldest living land animal, and possibly the oldest chelonian (a category that includes turtles and tortoises) ever recorded.
In an age where everything moves fast, where we race to the future with new tech, trends, and turbulence, Jonathan is a quiet reminder of the beauty of slow living, of patience, of resilience. He’s a living connection to a time we can barely imagine.
And He’s Still Going
There’s no telling how much longer Jonathan will live — but then again, people have been saying that for decades. Every year, he surprises us, outliving predictions, staying strong, and reminding us all that sometimes, the best things in life move slowly.
So next time you’re rushing through your day, take a moment to think of Jonathan, the nearly 200-year-old tortoise quietly making history one step at a time. He’s seen the world change — and yet, he’s still here.
Still walking. Still eating. Still inspiring. And now, a little older.