Jonathan the Tortoise Celebrates 188th Birthday, Is Said to Be the Oldest Land Animal on Earth

Jonathan the Tortoise Celebrates 188th Birthday, Is Said to Be the Oldest Land Animal on Earth
Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise, believed to be the oldest reptile living on earth GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP via Getty Images
Michael Wing
Michael Wing
Editor and Writer
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On a remote volcanic island in the South Atlantic, there lives a Seychelles giant tortoise named Jonathan, who is believed to be the oldest-known land animal on earth.

Far older than any human being, Jonathan also predates the automobile, the television, and even the invention of the lightbulb.

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