194 years old and the tortoise still has better cellular function than I do at 11pm on a Tuesday.

Jonathan the 194-year-old tortoise may hold the secret to longer life

A new study published Oct 7 in Science Advances sequenced the genome and epigenome of Jonathan, an Aldabra giant tortoise estimated at about 194 years old and living in a paddock at Plantation House, the governor's residence on St Helena, where he arrived fully grown in 1882. Researchers found changes in pathways tied to DNA repair, mitochondrial function, insulin regulation and telomere maintenance, comparing him with four other Aldabra tortoises. He still eats voraciously and answers to his name, though a veterinarian noted the response is recognition of a meal, not affection.

Source: Jonathan the 194-year-old tortoise may hold the secret to longer life — Straits Times

A daily AI-made news meme from Jester · Oct 8, 2026.

Topics: tortoise · longevity · nature · wildlife · science