Jonathan is the best known thing in the world: a living endemic land turtle. In 2024 Jonathan a Seychelles giant tortoise will be 191 years old.
Jonathan is a resident at the governor’s residence situated on the island ow Saint Helena in the south Atlantic Ocean. He was brought to such a distant place as St. Helena in 1882 and has become an adored person there.
The tortoises and Jonathan who has been under the care of Saint Helena veterinarians-at the A.J. Hollins’s hollow-since 2009, off Argentina, each of he has to miss Joseph Hollins describes the festivities, and each regular Jonathan’s celebration holds on to the New Year. Although Governor Phillips of Saint Helena, Nigel, granted Jonathan a hatch date of 4th December 1832 which is not Year 4 AD hollins do not celebrate this particular date on the 1st of January people respect him for his age in years not his birth dates About this day Hollins says that usually, Jonathan is sitting somewhere and clambering about looking for sweet clover and then in the afternoon taking a nap.
Jonathan’s diet and routine
Jonathan is given food consisting of all the plants and grasses which he feeds on, leaves and fruits which are very important for his life expectancy and general health. His hands feeders take care that he is well-nourished.
Even at a weight of about 200 kg and a length of approximately 1.2 meters, He enjoys a relatively good state of health, irrespective of his age. He lies comfortably outdoors and munches on grass and leaves and interacts with people. Due to his super long life, he has turned out to be quite the tourist magnet.
Despite being blind and having no capacity to smell due to his condition, he is able to hear very well.
‘He could actually be older’
Per Hollins, Jonathan might be even older than he is presently believed to be.
According to historical accounts, Jonathan was allowed free pasture of the grounds of the governor’s mansion between 1882 and 1886. It is stated in a letter that when he was brought from the Seychelles Islands in the year 1882. He was already an adult tortoise, meaning that he was over 50. Hollins draws attention to the fact that in 1876. When it was invented the light bulb, Jonathan, already was about 40. Taylor memories that he has observed the activity of 31 individuals who held the office of governor.
The land tortoise has an average life span of about 150 years. With the downward spiral being Jonathan’s 92nd year, Hollins with good faith seeks the trending hopes that He will continue responding to visitors’ demands well into his third century.
Hollins is very fond of Jonathan and states that it is an honor to look after him. When Hollins came in, He suffered from several health challenges including cataracts and the wearing out of his beak. A considerable improvement was registered in Jonathan’s health after Hollins started providing him with vegetables and fruits.
A popular tourist attraction
To date, about 1500 tourists go to St Helena to see Jonathan the tortoise. Because of the high number of visitors, a tortoise corridor was set up so that tourists can see Jonathan but not bother him.
The Washington Post quoted Hollins, “He loves the chatter and interaction”, saying also that Jonathan likes tennis court sounds.
Hollins voiced his feeling about celebrating the 200 years birth of Jonathan. Apart from being present, Hollins also wonders what Jonathan will look like by then.
