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What is keeping the world’s oldest tortoise going at 194?
Researchers say Jonathan’s genes show little wear and tear, helping the 194-year-old tortoise remain the world’s oldest living land animal.
- Researchers identified unique gene variants in Jonathan, an Aldabra giant tortoise estimated to be 194 years old, explaining his status as the world's oldest living land animal.
- Jonathan arrived on the island of St Helena 144 years ago as a gift to the governor, Sir William Grey-Wilson, and has resided at Plantation House ever since.
- Scientists discovered Jonathan's DNA repair and metabolism genes remain remarkably similar to those of much younger tortoises, preventing typical biological wear and tear associated with aging.
- This genetic blueprint offers researchers a deeper understanding of cellular resilience and may aid future development of effective treatments for age-related diseases in humans.
- Living on St Helena, a British Overseas Territory, Jonathan remains a contemporary of Charles Darwin, serving as a unique living testament to the endurance of his species.
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The world's largest population of giant tortoises living in the wild is thriving. Recent scientific observations suggest that the once-endangered species' numbers are stable.
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Total News Sources14
Leaning Left1Leaning Right3Center9Last UpdatedBias Distribution69% Center
Bias Distribution
- 69% of the sources are Center
69% Center
C 69%
R 23%
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