Lifespan of Tortoises and Top 5 Species Known for Their Long Lives

In the heart of Kolkata, India, a remarkable chapter in the annals of zoological history came to a close in 2006. Adwaita, a giant tortoise, took her final breath, leaving behind a legacy that spanned well over 250 years.

Adwaita was not just any ordinary tortoise. She was once a pet of Robert Clive, the first British Governor of India, outliving him by an astonishing 233 years. Her age, while impressive on land, pales in comparison to the creatures of the deep.

Across the globe, on the remote Atlantic island of St. Helena, another giant tortoise named Jonathan resides. Estimated to have been born in 1832, Jonathan holds the Guinness World Records title for the longest-living land animal. He is older than some of the greatest inventions of the industrial revolution, such as light bulbs and Morse code.

The secret to their long life? Tortoises' slow-and-steady lifestyles. Their metabolic rates are much slower than those of humans, which means they don't wear down as fast. This slower pace also means that tortoises accumulate free radicals, chemicals linked to aging and DNA damage, at a much slower rate.

Jonathan's record is not uncontested. Adwaita, with her estimated age of over 250 years, presents a credible competitor to his longevity record. Despite her demise, her legacy lives on, serving as a testament to the resilience and longevity of these ancient creatures.

While these giants of the land have captured our imagination, it's important to remember that the oldest known sea animal is far older. The fossilized remains of early multicellular sea life from the Precambrian era, dating back over 600 million years, outstrips both Adwaita and Jonathan in age. Among vertebrates, the Greenland shark is notable for its long lifespan, but it is not the oldest sea animal ever known.

In the end, the stories of Adwaita and Jonathan serve as a reminder of the incredible diversity and longevity of life on our planet. Their tales remind us to cherish and protect the natural world, for it holds stories far older and more remarkable than our own.