It’s likely no coincidence that tortoises are both very slow and very long-lived. Their longevity is almost certainly linked to their slow metabolism, which results in a more gradual accumulation of harmful genetic mutations and toxic biochemical byproducts.
How long do tortoises live?
Pet tortoises can live into their eighties, and giant tortoises routinely live to more than 100 years. And Jonathan, a Seychelles Giant Tortoise that lives at Plantation House on the island of St Helena is thought to be nearly 200 years old. He is in the Guinness World Records as the oldest-known living land animal.
Tortoises are probably the longest lived of all vertebrates, but not of all animals. In 2006, an ocean quahog – a marine clam – was estimated to be 507 years old. Just think when that was born in approximately 1600 Charles I was on the throne.
Main image: Jonathan of St Helena @ Getty Images