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Oldest Tortoise Ever ‘In Good Spirits’

Everyone is breaking world records these days. Even reptiles! One tortoise, named Jonathan, actually holds two records. According to Guinness World Records, Jonathan is officially the world’s oldest living land…

Giant tortoise

givi585/Shutterstock

givi585/Shutterstock

Everyone is breaking world records these days. Even reptiles! One tortoise, named Jonathan, actually holds two records. According to Guinness World Records, Jonathan is officially the world's oldest living land animal. If that wasn't enough, the ancient reptile is now also the oldest tortoise ever.

Jonathan is believed to be an astonishing 190 years old, which means he hatched in 1832. The Guinness folks think he may actually be older. He was at least 50 when he arrived on St. Helena in 1882. That's an island in the Atlantic Ocean off the western coast of Africa. Jonathan lives at the governor's residence.

Officials say Jonathan is blind and can't smell but he's in good spirits. How can they tell? I guess as long as he's still eating and doing other normal tortoise-y things, he's good. In the 2016 video below, Jonathan appears to be enjoying his bath, which looks more like washing a hatchback.

Phil Harris is 50% of "Phil & Mel in the Afternoon" on K104.7. He has been with the station since 2013 and on the air in Charlotte since 2000. Before coming to the Queen City, Phil worked for radio stations in Pittsburgh, Austin, and Seattle. In addition to the weekly "Throwback Threesome" music video feature, Phil writes about things that matter to Charlotte sports fans and pet owners. He happens to be both.