Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea hololissa) living on Saint Helena, is estimated to have hatched around 1832, making him about 194 years old in 2026. He arrived on the island in 1882 as a fully mature adult and is recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest living land animal and oldest chelonian ever.
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Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea hololissa) living on Saint Helena, is estimated to have hatched around 1832, making him about 194 years old in 2026. He arrived on the island in 1882 as a fully mature adult and is recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest living land animal and oldest chelonian ever.
The greatest age of any living terrestrial animal, based on historical documentation.
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Permanent ID limitsregistry.com/limits/LR-OLDEST-LIVING-LAND-ANIMAL-JONATHAN-TORTOISE
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Limits Registry. LR-OLDEST-LIVING-LAND-ANIMAL-JONATHAN-TORTOISE. Oldest living land animal. 2026.