Jonathan the World’s Oldest Land Animal Turns 191

Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise, is recognized as the world's oldest living land animal at 191 years old, having been born in 1832. He has lived through significant historical events and changes, including the tenure of 40 U.S. presidents, and is a beloved figure on Saint Helena, where he resides. Jonathan's age was officially declared by the governor of Saint Helena, although experts suggest he may be older than recorded due to being fully grown when he arrived in 1882. On his birthday, he enjoys a diet of vegetation and spends his days basking in the sun. Meanwhile, various species of animals are noted for their remarkable lifespans, including the bowhead whale and Greenland shark, which can live up to 200 years, and the immortal jellyfish, capable of reverting to its juvenile form. These instances highlight the diversity of longevity found in the animal kingdom, contrasting with the average human lifespan of 77 years.