Very Old Animals
Stuff You Missed in History Class
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The Age of Jonathan the Giant Tortoise
This chapter discusses the age and historical significance of Jonathan the giant tortoise, estimated to be around 200 years old. It explores the speculation and evidence surrounding Jonathan's age, as well as the confusion surrounding his relation to Napoleon Bonaparte's exile on St. Helena.
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These animals have been marking time largely unaware of all the ups and downs and intrigues of humanity. And stories about them often have more to do with the way people perceive them than the animals themselves.
Research:
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- Free, Cathy. “The world’s oldest living land animal? At age 190, it’s Jonathan the tortoise.” The Washington Post. January 30, 2022. https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2022/01/31/oldest-animal-tortoise-jonathan-/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2022/01/31/oldest-animal-tortoise-jonathan-/
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- Kolirin, Lianne. “Meet 190-year-old Jonathan, the world’s oldest-ever tortoise.” CNN. Jan. 26, 2022. https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/oldest-tortoise-jonathan-scli-intl-scn/index.html
- “Historic Tortoise.” The Jersey Journal. June 28, 1968. https://www.newspapers.com/image/908625184/?terms=%22tortoise%20st.%20helena%22%20&match=1
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- Lyall, Sarah. “Reigate Journal; Parrot May Have Been Churchill's, but She's Not Saying.” New York Times. March 9, 2004. https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/09/world/reigate-journal-parrot-may-have-been-churchill-s-but-she-s-not-saying.html
- Madden, Chris. “Having a chat with Churchill's parrot and - at 114-years-old - one of Reigate's oldest residents.” Surrey Live. Aug. 26, 2014. https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/local-news/having-chat-churchills-parrot-114-13642592
- Triesman, Rachel. “Jonathan, the world’s oldest tortoise, marks his 190th with fanfare and salad cake.” NPR. Dec. 7, 2022. https://www.npr.org/2022/12/07/1141180557/jonathan-tortoise-birthday-190
- “Unique Distinction.” The Daily Times. Nov. 18, 1947. https://www.newspapers.com/image/303381370/?terms=%22tortoise%20st.%20helena%22%20&match=1
- “Jonathan’s 190th” St. Helena Tourism. https://www.sthelenatourism.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Jonathan-turns-190.pdf
- Larson, Samantha. “Oldest Clam Consternation Overblown.” National Geographic. Nov. 17, 2013. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/131116-oldest-clam-dead-ming-science-ocean-507?loggedin=true&rnd=1690833236811
- “Ming the clam is oldest mollusc.” BBC. Oct. 28, 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7066389.stm
- Morelle, Rebecca. “Clam-gate: The Epic Saga of Ming.” BBC. Nov. 14, 2013. https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-24946983
- Wallenfeldt, Jeff. “History of Saint Helena.” Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Saint-Helena-island-South-Atlantic-Ocean/History
- “RIP Ming the Clam.” The Daily Telegraph.” October 29, 2007. https://www.newspapers.com/image/753409282/?terms=ming%20quahog&match=1
- Roach, John. “405-year-old Clam Called Longest-lived Animal.” National Geographic. October 29, 2007. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/405-year-old-clam-called-longest-lived-animal
- “Winston’s Obscene Parrot Lives On.” BBC. Jan. 19, 2004. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3410893.stm
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