Turtles are among the oldest living animals on Earth, with some species dating back to the time of the dinosaurs.
But did you know that some turtles have lived for hundreds of years, witnessing the rise and fall of civilizations, wars, and revolutions? Here are five of the most remarkable examples of these immortal reptiles.
Jonathan: The World's Oldest Living Animal
(Photo : GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP via Getty Images)
Jonathan is a Seychelles giant tortoise who lives on the island of Saint Helena, a British overseas territory in the South Atlantic Ocean.
He was born around 1832, making him the oldest living animal in the world, according to Guinness World Records.
He has seen six British monarchs, two world wars, and the abolition of slavery during his lifetime. He is also the last surviving member of a group of tortoises that were brought to Saint Helena from the Seychelles in 1882.
Jonathan is still in good health, despite losing his sense of smell and most of his eyesight. He enjoys a diet of fruits, vegetables, and grasses, and spends his days roaming the grounds of Plantation House, the official residence of the governor of Saint Helena.
He has a gentle personality and likes to interact with visitors and other animals. He even has a mate, a female tortoise named Frederica, who is estimated to be 170 years old.
Harriet: The Galapagos Tortoise Who Met Charles Darwin
(Photo : SEBASTIAN KAHNERT/DPA/AFP via Getty Images)
Harriet was a Galapagos tortoise who Charles Darwin collected during his voyage on the HMS Beagle in 1835.
She was one of three tortoises that Darwin brought back to England, where they were given to John Clements Wickham, the captain of the Beagle.
Wickham later moved to Australia and took the tortoises with him. Harriet ended up at the Australia Zoo, owned by the late Steve Irwin, the famous wildlife conservationist and TV personality.
Harriet lived for 175 years, making her the second oldest tortoise ever recorded, after Jonathan. She died in 2006, due to heart failure.
She was a beloved attraction at the zoo, where she was known as the "grand old lady". She had a feisty temperament and a strong appetite.
She also had a distinctive shell pattern, which helped to identify her as one of Darwin's original specimens.
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Adwaita: The Aldabra Giant Tortoise Who Outlived His Owners
(Photo : FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)
Adwaita was an Aldabra giant tortoise who lived at the Alipore Zoo in Kolkata, India. He was reportedly given to Robert Clive, the British governor of Bengal, by the British East India Company in the 18th century.
Clive kept him as a pet until his death in 1774, and then donated him to the zoo. Adwaita lived there for over 200 years, becoming the oldest resident of the zoo and one of the oldest animals in captivity.
Adwaita died in 2006, at the age of 255, according to carbon dating of his shell. He was a solitary and peaceful creature, who preferred to stay in his enclosure and munch on grass and fruits.
He had a massive shell, measuring 1.5 meters in length and weighing 250 kilograms. He also had four wives, who predeceased him by decades.
Tu'i Malila: The Radiated Tortoise Who Was a Royal Gift
Tu'i Malila was a radiated tortoise who lived in Tonga, a Polynesian kingdom in the South Pacific. She was given to the Tongan royal family by Captain James Cook, the British explorer, in 1777, during his third and final voyage.
She was named after a Tongan word meaning "king" or "chief". She was a rare and exotic pet, who was treated with respect and care by the royals and their subjects.
Tu'i Malila lived for 188 years, making her the oldest radiated tortoise ever recorded, and the oldest animal in Tonga.
She died in 1965, due to natural causes. She was a friendly and curious animal, who liked to wander around the royal palace and gardens.
She also enjoyed eating bananas, papayas, and cucumbers. She was buried with full honors, and her shell was preserved and displayed at the Tongan National Museum.
Timothy: The Mediterranean Spur-Thighed Tortoise Who Served in the Royal Navy
Timothy was a Mediterranean spur-thighed tortoise who served in the Royal Navy during the 19th and 20th centuries.
He was found on a Portuguese privateer ship by a British sailor in 1854, during the Crimean War and was taken as a mascot and named after the sailor's boyfriend.
He later served on several other ships, including the HMS Queen, the HMS Princess Charlotte, and the HMS Devastation.
She witnessed many naval battles and events, such as the Bombardment of Alexandria, the opening of the Suez Canal, and the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
Timothy lived for 160 years, making her the oldest naval veteran and the oldest Mediterranean tortoise ever recorded.
Timothy died in 2004, due to old age. She was a loyal and brave animal, who endured harsh conditions and injuries during her service.
The turtle also had a distinctive personality, being described as "cantankerous" and "stubborn". She retired in 1892, and spent the rest of her life at the Powderham Castle, the home of the Earl of Devon.
He was buried in the castle grounds, with a plaque that reads: "She saw the World with the Royal Navy".
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