Jonathan The Tortoise Is The Oldest Living Animal Walking The Planet

How far back do you consider old? If you consider yourself a '90s kid, just remember that that was 30 years ago! If that sounds like a long time ago, consider that Jonathan the tortoise barely even noticed the past 30 years fly by.

Jonathan is considered to be the world's oldest living animal, and considering he was born in 1832, that's saying something.

Jonathan Has Seen Some Things

jonathan the tortoise standing
Photo Credit: GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP via Getty Images
Photo Credit: GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP via Getty Images

Consider everything Jonathan has seen over the course of his life. He was born right at the end of the Industrial Revolution where we moved from hand production to using machines and chemicals. Considering he saw our first machines like the steam engine, today's machines are lightyears ahead.

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Where Has He Been This Whole Time?

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Johnathan and another tortoise in St Helena
Photo Credit: Wikimedia
Photo Credit: Wikimedia
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This picture was taken in 1886 when Jonathan was already over 50 years old! It was around this time that Jonathan was brought from Seychelles to the island of Saint Helena where he's lived for nearly 150 years!

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Saint Helena Made Him The Island's Official Mascot

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Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise, believed to be the oldest reptile living on earth with and alleged age of 185 years, crawls through the lawn of the Plantation House, the United Kingdom Governor official residence on October 20, 2017 in Saint Helena, a British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic Ocean
Photo Credit: GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP via Getty Images
Photo Credit: GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP via Getty Images
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Jonathan was such a hit that he was even featured on the island's currency, where he's featured on the five pence piece. As he's aged, he's naturally slowed down a bit, and it's believed he's blind from cataracts and has lost his sense of smell. However, thanks to the help of his caretakers, Jonathan continues to live a happy and healthy life!