'Jonathan' Is the Oldest Land Animal on Earth
a day ago
- Jonathan the tortoise, the world’s oldest living land animal, is approximately 194 years old.
- Scientists sequenced his genome for the first time to uncover longevity secrets.
- Jonathan is an Aldabra giant tortoise hatched around 1832 in the Seychelles and brought to Saint Helena in the 1880s.
- The study compared his genome with younger tortoises and found unique gene variants in DNA repair, insulin regulation, mitochondrial function, and low entropy methylation.
- A surprising finding was that Jonathan's mitochondrial methylome remained pristine, similar to a five-year-old tortoise.
- The research took years due to logistical challenges, with samples delivered by the U.S. Space Force.
- The ultimate goal of the research is to understand aging and potentially extend human healthspan and lifespan.
- Jonathan continues to live at the governor's residence on Saint Helena, a popular tourist attraction.