Turtles have been living on Earth for more than 200 million years. With such a long lifespan, it’s no wonder that some of these reptiles have managed to reach impressive ages. In fact, the oldest turtle in the world is estimated to be more than 150 years old, making it one of the oldest living creatures on the planet.
World’s Oldest Turtle
The world’s oldest known turtle is called Jonathan and it is believed to be around 152 years old. Jonathan resides on the island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean and is the oldest known living land animal. It was originally discovered in the late 19th century and has been living in the island’s governor’s mansion since then.
Jonathan is an Aldabra giant tortoise, which is a species that is native to the Seychelles Islands in the Indian Ocean. Aldabra giant tortoises are known for their long lifespans and Jonathan is no exception.
Uncovering its Age
In order to determine Jonathan’s age, scientists used a combination of radiocarbon dating and DNA analysis. Radiocarbon dating is a method that is used to determine the age of organic materials, such as bones and teeth. By analyzing the amount of carbon-14 present in Jonathan’s bones, scientists were able to estimate that he is around 152 years old.
In addition, DNA analysis was used to confirm Jonathan’s age. Scientists compared Jonathan’s DNA to that of other Aldabra giant tortoises in order to estimate how long he has been alive. The results of the analysis showed that Jonathan is indeed the oldest living turtle in the world.
Jonathan is an incredible creature and a true testament to the remarkable lifespan of turtles. He is a symbol of longevity and serves as a reminder of the power of nature. Jonathan is sure to live on in the hearts and minds of many for generations to come.
Turtles are some of the oldest creatures on Earth, and their life spans vary greatly depending on the species. The oldest living turtle in the world is believed to be an Australian freshwater turtle, affectionately nicknamed ‘Old Granddaddy’ and estimated to be in her 150th year.
This extraordinary turtle was spotted in a remote Northern Queensland river system in 1969 and was seen decades later in 1990 and 2019, with the latest sighting confirming her long life. Old Granddaddy is a mata mata, a species of river-dwelling, freshwater turtles which inhabit slow-moving waterways in the Amazon basin and northern Mexico.
Given the difficulty in estimating turtles’ ages accurately, Old Granddaddy’s age is believed to be an approximation. As a long-lived species, mata matas are thought to live beyond 40 years, although some captive mata mata turtles are reaching up to 65 years.
Old Granddaddy has outlived even the most optimistic life expectancy for her species, with researchers speculating that living in a stable environment with a constant source of food and minimal predators helped her reach the impressive age.
If Old Granddaddy’s age is correct, this humble Australian river turtle matches the age of a Galapagos tortoise which lived in captivity in 2015 and is believed to have been at least 150 years old.
Throughout her life, Old Granddaddy has become a symbol of Australia’s inland waterways and a source of inspiration for scientists, conservationists and the general public. As Old Granddaddy tucks herself away in the Northern Queensland river banks, her remarkable story serves as a reminder of the power and resilience of nature, and the importance of preserving these unique ecosystems for generations to come.
