WATCH: Jonathan the tortoise is still beating Father Time at 193
Jonathan the tortoise is 193, still thriving and proving that fake news travels doesn’t even spare the world’s oldest land animal.
Have you ever wished for just a few more years to finish your bucket list? Jonathan the tortoise might suggest thinking bigger.
At 193, the world’s oldest living land animal has outlasted generations of people, 28 governors on Saint Helena and more headlines than most celebrities.
He has even survived an internet death hoax. Not bad for someone whose preferred daily exercise is grazing the lawn.
WHY JONATHAN THE TORTOISE MAKES METHUSELAH LOOK OVER HIS SHOULDER
According to the Bible, Methuselah reached the remarkable age of 969. Jonathan still has some distance to cover before claiming that title.
Even so, he is comfortably ahead of the average human. Global life expectancy today sits at about 73 years. Jonathan has lived for almost three average lifetimes.
Born around 1832, Jonathan arrived on Saint Helena in 1882 as a fully grown Seychelles giant tortoise. Scientists estimate these tortoises reach full size at about 50 years old – an estimate that forms the basis of his official birthday.
Guinness World Records recognises him as the oldest living land animal and the oldest known living chelonian.
His species usually lives for about 150 years, but apparently Jonathan decided that was merely a suggestion.
HOW DID JONATHAN THE TORTOISE STAY AHEAD OF THE CLOCK?
Perhaps the answer is simple: Avoid deadlines and enjoy lunch.
Jonathan spends his days wandering the grounds of Plantation House, home of Saint Helena’s governor. His menu includes grass, hay, apples, bananas, pears, cabbage, lettuce, carrots and cucumbers.
Although his eyesight has faded because of cataracts, he no longer has a sense of smell; his hearing, however, remains sharp.
Visitors still draw his attention with their chatter. Tennis matches also catch his ear, although croquet players probably wish he found another hobby. Jonathan has a habit of parking himself on the balls and stopping play.
Veterinarian Joe Hollins has cared for him since 2009 and restored his health with a better diet. He hand-feeds him while wearing thick gloves, as an 180 kg tortoise has little respect for delicate fingers.
FAKE NEWS COULD NOT OUTRUN THE OLD MASTER
Even Jonathan the tortoise could not escape social media.
On April 1, 2026, false reports claimed he had died. The story spread quickly after appearing on a fake account pretending to belong to Hollins.
Reality, however, soon caught up. Hollins confirmed the account was fake. Saint Helena’s government released a photograph the following day showing Jonathan alive, well and carrying on with his usual routine.
There is a lesson in that. The fastest thing about Jonathan the tortoise has never been his walking speed; it is the affection people feel for him.
At 193 not out, he remains proof that sometimes the oldest stories are still the best ones.