Turtles are some of the oldest creatures on Earth, with some species having been around for millions of years. While they may not live as long as some other species, such as whales and sharks, turtles can still live to be quite old. In this article, we will explore just how old the oldest turtle in the world is.
Uncovering the Age of the Oldest Turtle
The oldest known turtle in the world is thought to be Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise. Jonathan is believed to be over 186 years old, having been born in 1832. He was given to the governor of St. Helena as a gift in 1882 and has been living there ever since. He is currently the oldest known animal in the world, having outlived the oldest known Galapagos tortoise, which died in 2006 at the age of 152.
Examining the Longevity of Turtles
Turtles are generally long-lived animals, with some species having been known to live for over 100 years. The average lifespan of a turtle can vary depending on the species, but most species tend to live between 20 and 40 years in the wild. In captivity, turtles can live much longer, with some individuals reaching the age of 100 or more.
The secret to their long life is their slow metabolism and low energy expenditure. This means that they don’t need as much food as other animals and can survive on a diet of small amounts of food over a long period of time. This is why turtles are able to live for so long, even without the benefit of modern medicine.
Turtles are some of the oldest creatures on Earth, with some species having been around for millions of years. Jonathan, the oldest known turtle in the world, is believed to be over 186 years old and is currently the oldest known animal in the world. Turtles are generally long-lived animals, with some species living for over 100 years. This is due to their slow metabolism and low energy expenditure, which allows them to survive on a diet of small amounts of food over a long period of time.