The chelonian order, which includes all turtles, tortoises, and terrapins, is famous for species that exhibit extraordinary longevity, far surpassing the lifespans of most other vertebrates. Chelonians often resist the typical aging process, maintaining physical function and low mortality risk for a remarkable length of time. The current record holder for the oldest living individual is not a sea turtle, but an ancient resident of a small South Atlantic island.
Identifying the Current Record Holder
The individual who holds the title of the world’s oldest living chelonian is a male Seychelles Giant Tortoise named Jonathan. He resides on the island of St. Helena, a British Overseas Territory, and is estimated to have been born around the year 1832, making him well over 190 years old today. This age makes Jonathan the oldest known living land animal on the planet.
Jonathan’s age is derived from historical records and photographic evidence, as his exact date of birth is unconfirmed. He was brought to St. Helena from the Seychelles in 1882 as a gift to the Governor, documented at the time as being “fully mature.” Since Seychelles Giant Tortoises reach full maturity around age 50, this provides the conservative birth year of 1832. A photograph taken between 1882 and 1886 shows a fully-grown Jonathan grazing on the grounds of Plantation House, the Governor’s official residence, where he has lived ever since. In November 2022, the Governor of St. Helena officially declared December 4, 1832, as Jonathan’s official birthday.
The Biological Secrets to Extreme Lifespans
The incredible lifespans of chelonians are attributed to a biological phenomenon known as negligible senescence, where the risk of death does not increase with age after reaching maturity. This means that a 100-year-old tortoise has a mortality rate similar to a 20-year-old one, defying the typical aging process seen in mammals. This resilience is partly rooted in their slow metabolic rate, a major factor in their long-term health.
A slower metabolism means chelonians burn energy at a much lower rate than faster-moving animals, which reduces the production of harmful molecules called free radicals. Free radicals are a natural byproduct of cellular energy production and contribute to oxidative stress and cellular damage, a primary driver of aging.
Furthermore, giant tortoises possess highly efficient mechanisms for DNA repair and cancer suppression. These adaptations help them maintain the integrity of their genetic material over decades, effectively preventing the accumulation of mutations that lead to age-related diseases and deterioration. The protective shell and large body size also play a role, allowing for greater investment in somatic maintenance and defense against environmental threats.
Distinguishing Turtles, Tortoises, and Terrapins
While the question asks about the oldest turtle, the record holder is a tortoise, highlighting the common confusion between these groups. The primary distinction between turtles, tortoises, and terrapins is based on the habitat to which each group is adapted.
Tortoises are exclusively land-dwelling, characterized by a highly domed shell and thick, stumpy legs adapted for walking on terrestrial surfaces. Their shells are heavier and less streamlined than those of their aquatic relatives. Turtles spend most of their lives in water, either freshwater or marine environments, and typically have flatter, more streamlined shells and webbed feet or flippers for swimming.
Terrapins are semi-aquatic chelonians that live in brackish or freshwater environments like marshes and swamps. Jonathan, as a land-only resident with a domed shell, is definitively a tortoise.
Other Notable Cases of Chelonian Longevity
Jonathan’s age officially surpasses all previously recorded chelonians, though many other examples demonstrate the order’s remarkable capacity for a long life. The previous record holder was Tu’i Malila, a Radiated Tortoise from Tonga who was gifted to the royal family by Captain James Cook and lived to be at least 188 years old before her death in 1965.
Another historically famous example is Harriet, a Galápagos Giant Tortoise who was thought to have been collected by Charles Darwin during his 1835 voyage. Harriet lived in Australia and died in 2006 at the estimated age of 175.
A less verifiable but still notable case is Adwaita, an Aldabra Giant Tortoise from India who was claimed to have lived for an astonishing 255 years, though this age remains unconfirmed by documented evidence. These historical figures illustrate the difficulty in accurately verifying the age of long-lived animals, particularly those captured in the wild before accurate record-keeping began. Jonathan’s age, supported by photographic evidence and the known biology of his species, stands as the most reliably documented record.