Record #00420Nature archive
Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise living on the South Atlantic island of St Helena, is the oldest documented living terrestrial animal. He was already mature on arrival in 1882 and is estimated to have hatched around 1832, making him at least 194 years old in 2026.
Current Record
at least194years
Current record value
Jonathan arrived from the Seychelles in 1882 already fully mature. A historical photograph taken between 1882 and 1886 shows a fully grown tortoise, providing a documented basis for a conservative age estimate but not an exact 1832 birth certificate.
Jonathan has long resided at Plantation House on St Helena and is cared for by local staff and veterinarians. An October 2026 Guinness interview with his former veterinarian confirms he was still alive and at least 194, with his actual age potentially higher.
This is an individual longevity record for a currently living terrestrial animal, not a species' maximum potential lifespan. Uncorroborated ancient pet stories are not treated as equally verified birth records.
The record conclusion has sufficient verification support.
Basis: direct confirmation by an authority
The Guinness current 'Oldest land animal (living)' record explicitly identifies Jonathan, estimates at least 194 years in 2026 and explains the fully mature 1882 arrival and historical photograph. A 7 October 2026 interview with his former veterinarian reconfirms Jonathan was alive. The c.1832 hatch year is a conservative estimate, not an exact birth document.
The estimate is a conservative lower bound rather than an exact birthday. St Helena is a British Overseas Territory, not located in geographic Great Britain; unverified local coordinates are withheld.
Current Entry identifies the current entry in this archive; it does not establish that the record is still held today.
The record value on this page is organized from the public sources above. Measurement methods may differ; JiLuDB follows the unified method described for each entry.
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