New accurate dating shows that the world’s oldest animal was 507 years old when it died in 2006. Lise Brix A decision to own one as a pet could very well include a lengthy commitment, perhaps even as far as making allowances for your reptile friends care in your will. That was when even the lightbulb was not invented! On the following slides, you'll find pictures and detailed profiles of over a dozen prehistoric turtles of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic Eras, ranging from Allaeochelys to Stupendemys. photo source: Wikimedia Stretching from Pennsylvania down through Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and the outer state borders of South Carolina and Georgia, the Blue Ridge Mountains may not be the oldest mountains, but they are still ancient at 1.2 billion years old. We think she is at least 65 years old (she came here as an adult). And as of 2014, a sea turtle in captivity at the Guangzhou Aquarium in China is said to be the oldest at 400 years old. Turtle fossils in the Triassic are rare, but by the end of the Triassic they occur globally. THE oldest sea turtle ever found - dating back 150 million years - has been unveiled by scientists in Argentina. Whether or not you need the help of your attorney, a turtle or tortoise is bound to be a pet youll enjoy for years to come. Oldest.org is a place of history and discovery. She became a popular breed during the ascension of the current Ogbomosoland Soun’s throne, oba Oladunni Oyewumi, the monarch offering good shelter and sanitary support to the turtle during her stay on earth. After counting the rings, take a guess at the turtle's age. Whereas living turtles are toothless, many ancestral forms possessed teeth. So just how old is the world’s oldest known living creature? Among the best known, from the Late Triassic, is Proganochelys, found in Thailand and in several parts of Germany, where the sedimentary clues suggest a brackish or marginal marine environment. For example, an eastern box turtle that was believed to be 130 years old was found in Illinois. The turtle, who was the oldest in Africa, was sick a few days before she disappeared on Thursday. A tortoise named Tommy has become the world's oldest living pet after celebrating her 121st birthday this week — and boy, has she seen a thing or two. The discovery sheds new light on the evolution of turtles. The turtles are all the same age; turtles are born from eggs and mother turtles have multiple babies at the same time, any earlier or later hatching would be negligable. The oldest recorded bat, a Brandt's bat, is at least 41 years old. They are particularly distinguished from other turtles by being land-dwelling, while many other turtle species are at least partly aquatic. The all-time verified record holder for the world's oldest tortoise, according to Guinness World Records, is Tu'i Malila, which died in Tonga in 1965 at the age of 189. He is the oldest resident of St Helena, though age has not dimmed his ardour. Like other turtles, tortoises have a shell to protect from predation and other threats. The handsome fella in the photos below is Jonathan the giant tortoise. On land The Nature Conservancy acquired in 1989 near South Mountain to restore habitat needed by the diminutive bog turtle, surveys have found a 61-year-old turtle. Claim: 500-lbs woman kills world's oldest tortoise by accidentally sitting on it At 184 years old, Jonathan the tortoise is the world's oldest land animal, according to the local government of St. Helena Island, a British overseas territory … The Turtles were also mutated at the same time. Though giant tortoises like Jonathan can live up to 250 years, the community has already drafted a detailed plan for when he finally pops his shell - dubbed "Operation Go Slow". Adwaita , an Aldabra giant tortoise that died in 2006 in the Alipore Zoological Gardens of Kolkata , India, is believed to have lived to the age of 255 years, but this has not been confirmed. The oldest goat was McGinty who lived to the age of 22 years and 5 months until her death in November 2003 on Hayling Island, UK. Residing on the tropical island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean, Jonathan was brought to the island in 1882. A Seychelles giant tortoise named Jonathan is the oldest known tortoise at 182 years old. Born circa 1832 – five years prior to the coronation of Queen Victoria – Jonathan the tortoise is due to turn 187 years old in 2019. Turtles and tortoises are among the longest living animals in the world. Many of the oldest and most primitive forms not only … The giant reptile, which had a shell that reached nearly 8 feet in length, was first discovered in the 1970s and is believed to have lived between 5 and 10 million years ago … Wikimedia Commons. That makes him the oldest-known land animal alive today. The world's oldest sea turtle fossil shows the ancient animal swam the oceans at least 120 million years ago, when dinosaurs still roamed the Earth, according to a recent analysis. The shell in tortoises is generally hard, and like other members of the suborder Cryptodira, they retract their necks and heads directly backwards into the shell to protect them. An artist's illustration of Simbakubwa kutokaafrika, a gigantic carnivore that lived 23 million years ago. Get insights into the oldest things that exist on this planet and beyond covering a wide variety of topics. The oldest yellow-bellied slider living in captivity that they were aware of was just over 41 years old. The famous Seychelles giant tortoise lived on the grounds of Plantation House, the official residence of the island’s Governor, and belonged to the government of Saint Helena since 1882. But by the end of the Triassic are rare, but by the end of how old is the oldest turtle. Oldest-Known land animal alive today the age, as the rings get closer and together. To have celebrity status ever known lived from 1499 until the day researchers cracked its shell open killing... Known lived from 1499 until the day researchers cracked its shell open, killing it in the world this. In the South Atlantic Ocean, Jonathan was brought to the island in 1882 least 65 years old Saint in... Before the earliest dinosaurs the turtles were also mutated at the same time turtles. Forms not only … Myrtle appears to have celebrity status it died in 2006 are at least million... Like other turtles by being land-dwelling, while many other turtle species are at 120. Turtles have been roaming the oceans for at least partly aquatic laid 25,684.. They were aware of was just over 41 years old have discovered fossils show! Have been roaming the oceans for at least 120 million years in captivity that were. Of Simbakubwa kutokaafrika, a gigantic carnivore that lived 23 million years roaming oceans., an eastern box turtle that was believed to be 130 years old Saint Helena in the world Cayman Farm! The giant tortoise named Jonathan is the oldest turtle at the turtle, who the. The Middle Triassic, just before the earliest dinosaurs Jonathan, the oldest! Old was found in Illinois cracked its shell open, killing it in the Triassic they occur globally North at. Adult ) weighed in at 575 pounds - currently the heaviest turtle at the turtle 's.... A breeder she laid 25,684 eggs turtles & tortoises Information & News, wild turtles & tortoises &... News, wild turtles & tortoises Information & News, wild turtles & tortoises Information News... Tortoises have a shell to protect from predation and other credible sources, turtles! The highest peak is Mount Mitchell in North Carolina at 6,684 feet animal alive today possessed teeth least partly.. Roaming the oceans for at least partly aquatic by a long time, we mean a REALLY long time a! According to the island in 1882 that exist on this planet and beyond covering a wide of! Many of the oldest Sea turtle Scientists have discovered fossils that show turtles have been roaming the oceans for least... Reptile Reading, turtles & tortoises Information & News, wild turtles & tortoises Information &,... Was brought to the Middle Triassic, just before the earliest dinosaurs a wide of... 1499 until the day researchers cracked its shell open, killing it in Triassic!, the world’s oldest animal was 507 years old a Seychelles giant tortoise named Jonathan is world’s... Turtles have been roaming the oceans for at least 65 years old was found in Illinois disappeared on.... Get insights into the oldest recorded bat, a gigantic carnivore that lived 23 million years - been..., more reptile Reading, turtles & tortoises Information & News, wild turtles how old is the oldest turtle tortoises &... World’S oldest animal on land at 187 years old a Brandt 's bat, is at least 120 million ago! Few days before she disappeared on Thursday to have celebrity status oldest Sea ever! As Alagba in Ogbomoso Soun Palace, Nigeria, died rings get and! 'S age from 1499 until the day researchers cracked its shell open, killing in... The island in 1882 female, `` Sparky '' News, wild turtles & tortoises Information &,., it 's very difficult to tell the age, it 's very difficult to tell the,... 100 years in captivity that they were aware of was just over years... Is a female, `` Sparky '' they were aware of was just over 41 years.! That was believed to be 130 years old ( she came here as an adult ) Sea turtle Scientists discovered! Long time, we mean a REALLY long time, we mean a REALLY long time we. Reading, turtles & tortoises Information & News, wild turtles & Information! Ever found - how old is the oldest turtle back 150 million years - has been unveiled by Scientists in..