World’s oldest tortoise is 194 years old—here’s where to see it

Jonathan. His name is Jonathan, and he has been around for nearly two centuries. Yes, it’s true. Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise, holds the extraordinary distinction of being the oldest living land animal on Earth, and quite possibly the oldest tortoise ever recorded in history.Jonathan’s story begins in the early 19th century. While his exact birth date remains unknown, historical records estimate that he was born around 1832. This places his age at approximately 194 years as of 2026, a figure officially recognised by Guinness World Records.What makes this estimate credible is a photograph taken between 1882 and 1886, shortly after Jonathan arrived on his current home island. In the image, he appears fully mature, indicating that he was already at least 50 years old at the time.

This evidence has helped historians and biologists establish his approximate age with reasonable certainty.

Here’s what incredibly interesting:

In order to get an idea of how old he is, we should bear in mind that Jonathan was born long before people started using phones, long before cars became common property, long before the first and second world wars took place. Jonathan has lived through the rule of several kings of England, from William IV till today, which makes him unique.

Where you can find him

Jonathan is living in Saint Helena, which is a British overseas territory and is well-known as the place of exile of Napoleon Bonaparte. Jonathan lives in Plantation House, which is a residence of Saint Helena's governor.Jonathan roams freely across the well-maintained lawns of the estate, and he has full access to the whole estate garden. Anyone willing to visit Saint Helena can meet Jonathan face to face, and it’s one of those rare encounters in nature that make life worth living.

But since Saint Helena can be reached only via sea transport, meeting Jonathan will take some effort.

Health, diet, and daily life

Despite his old age, Jonathan still leads an orderly life. As is expected, age has caused various changes, and Jonathan is now blind because of cataracts. Moreover, he lacks the sense of smell, but his hearing capacity is perfect, and he responds well to people’s voices.The food that Jonathan eats is carefully selected, and his diet comprises fresh fruits and vegetables like cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, and greens.

Given that he cannot taste nor see his food, he is usually fed by hand in order to provide him with all the required vitamins and minerals.Jonathan also enjoys basking in the sun, a common behaviour among reptiles, which helps regulate his body temperature. On cooler days, he prefers warmer spots on the estate, demonstrating that even at nearly 200 years old, his instincts remain sharp.

Jonathan, the global icon of longevity

The importance of Jonathan goes way beyond its age. Jonathan is now recognized as a worldwide representative of endurance, longevity, and nature's enigmas.

Researchers conduct studies on animals like him to gain more information about aging processes with hopes for future use in human health investigations.In 2022, Jonathan was formally recognized as the oldest known chelonian (tortoise or turtle). His survival continues to fascinate scientists, taking into account the many changes in the environment he lived through over the course of nearly two hundred years.

Still alive and thriving

In recent times, rumours about Jonathan’s death have occasionally surfaced online, especially given his age. Nonetheless, these assertions have continually been proven false, and he is still in 2026. Those taking care of him in Saint Helena keep a constant eye on his health to ensure that he lives a comfortable life amid the same environment.The tortoise is much more than a holder of records; he is an archive of time. Very few beings in the entire world possess the ability to serve as a direct reminder of the long span of time.For those fortunate enough to visit Saint Helena, meeting Jonathan is not just about seeing the world’s oldest tortoise, it is about witnessing history in its most enduring, gentle form.