Jonathan the tortoise, the world’s oldest living land animal

Updated: 08/10/2026 - 11:53 GMT+2 At around 194 years old, Jonathan is the world’s oldest living land animal and the oldest tortoise ever recorded. Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise, is believed to be around 194 years old, making him the world’s oldest living land animal and oldest tortoise ever recorded. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT He is believed to have been brought to the island of St Helena in 1882 and still roams the grounds of the governor’s residence. His extraordinary lifespan has made him one of the island’s best-known residents. False reports of his death have also circulated online, but Jonathan is still very much alive.