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Giant tortoises are among the world's longest-living animals, with an average lifespan of 100 years or more. [14] The Madagascar radiated tortoise Tu'i Malila was 188 at her death in Tonga in 1965.
As of 2022, Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise, is thought to be the oldest living giant tortoise at the age of 192 years. [25] Esmeralda, an Aldabra giant tortoise, is second at the age of 180 years, since the death of Harriet, a Galapagos giant tortoise, at 175. An Aldabra giant tortoise living on Changuu off Zanzibar is reportedly 198 ...
The islands were named "Insulae de los Galopegos" (Islands of the Tortoises) in reference to the giant tortoises found there. [9] [10] [nb 1] Initially, the giant tortoises of the Indian Ocean and those from the Galápagos were thought to be the same subspecies. Naturalists thought that sailors had transported the tortoises there. [11]
The world’s oldest tortoise has lived through two world wars, witnessed the rise and fall of the British Empire, and has just turned 190 years old.
Jonathan (hatched c. 1832) [2] [3] is a Seychelles giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea hololissa), a subspecies of the Aldabra giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea).His approximate age is estimated to be 192 as of 2024, making him the oldest known living land animal.
Galapagos tortoises: The Riverbanks zoo has a group of 35 of the slow-moving giants, which can reach 900 pounds and live for more than 150 years. During the peak of the eclipse, they started breeding.
Like other species of tortoise, the Seychelles giant tortoise is not strictly herbivorous. There have been anecdotal reports of tortoises consuming birds, crabs, and bones. In 2021, a female tortoise on Frégate Island was recorded deliberately hunting, killing, and eating a noddy tern chick. [4]
Tortoises can vary in size with some species, such as the Galápagos giant tortoise, growing to more than 1.2 metres (3.9 ft) in length, whereas others like the Speckled cape tortoise have shells that measure only 6.8 centimetres (2.7 in) long. [2]