Tortoises are one animal species on Earth which boast of a long life span. From 80 to 150, the range of survival of these reptiles is also long. There are so many records of oldest living tortoises, but the one from Africa named Albaga was claimed to have lived over 300 years! Residing in the royal palace of the traditional ruler of Ogbomosho, Nigeria he passed away of a brief illness on October 5. However, a veterinary doctor dismissed the claims of having lived beyond 300 years. Albaga of Ogbomoso can be called the oldest tortoise of Africa though. It is no surprise that tortoises live beyond a hundred years. We look at some of the oldest living tortoises in the world. Giant Tortoise Helonoidis Phantasticus Believed to Be Extinct for More Than a Century Found in Galapagos Island (See Pictures).

 

Jonathan (187 Years)

A Seychelles Giant Tortoise staying at Plantation House, Island of Saint Helena is the oldest living tortoise in the world. It has hatched in 1832 making almost 187 years old. A subspecies of Aldabra giant tortoise it is among the oldest known living terrestrial animal in the world. Jonathan is so famous that he has become a national symbol in St Helena. His name is even mentioned in the Guinness World Record for being the world’s oldest animal to walk, or rather sprawl, on Earth. Jonathan the tortoise, World's Oldest Living Land Animal Who is Blind Can't Have Cataract Surgery as it is Risky.

Harriet (175 Years)

A  Galápagos tortoise from Australia, Harriet lived for 175 years. Reports say the Father of Evolution, Charles Darwin had collected Harriet during his 1835 visit to the Galápagos Islands during his survey expedition. But that story doesn't have a piece of strong evidence. One of the interesting things about Harriet is there was so much confusion about its gender. Harriet was a female but thought to be a male for many years. She died in her enclosure on 23 June 2006 of heart failure following a short illness.

Adwaita (150 Years)

A male Aldabra giant tortoise it lived in the Alipore Zoological Gardens of Kolkata. Reportedly he was given to Robert Clive of East India Company by British seafarers. He passed away on 22 March 2006 because of a wound after a shell crack. The exact date of his hatching is not recorded but some estimate he was 150 years at the time of his death. But some say he was 250 years old when he died.

Esmeralda (Approx 170 Years)

There is no latest documentation on Esmeralda but she is among the oldest living tortoises in the world. An Aldabra Giant species, she resides on the Bird Island in Seychelles. It is estimated to be above 170 years of age and also has a name in the heaviest living turtle on record. He weighs over 670 pounds (304kg).

There are many other tortoises who have lived beyond a hundred years. Tortoises even if kept as pets can live and grow up to 30 to 40 years. And while they classify into the longest living land animals in the world, although the longest living species of tortoise is a matter of debate.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 11, 2019 05:40 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).