Stuff You Missed in History Class

Very Old Animals

Aug 7, 2023

36:41

Snipd AI

Explore the world of very old animals, including Jonathan the tortoise, the oldest living land animal. Discover the age and historical significance of Jonathan and the controversy surrounding his connection to Napoleon Bonaparte. Dive into the research on Arctic Islandica clams and the backlash faced by researchers. Also, learn about the care and life of Jonathan, as well as the goals of studying clams. The podcast also touches on listener feedback, Olympic history, and performance-enhancing substances in sports.

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Quick takeaways

Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise, is believed to be the oldest living land animal at over 190 years old, having witnessed various historical events and met notable figures.

Ming, an Arctic Islandica clam, holds the record for being the oldest non-colonial animal ever discovered, providing valuable insights into climate change and the aging process.

Deep dives

The Oldest Tortoise, Jonathan

Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise, is believed to be the oldest living land animal at over 190 years old. His exact age is uncertain, but he is estimated to have been born around 1832. Jonathan has lived through 30 governors, witnessed the invention of various technologies, and even met Queen Elizabeth II. Despite his age, Jonathan is still active and enjoys mating with other tortoises on the island of St. Helena, where he resides.

Introduction

2min

The Significance of Very Old Animals

3min

The Age of Jonathan the Giant Tortoise

7min

Life and Care of Jonathan, the Famous Tortoise

5min

Jonathan the Tortoise and Arctic Islandica Clams

8min

Unraveling the Secrets of Clams

6min

The Backlash and Defense of the Oldest Clam Discovery

8min

Listener Feedback, Olympic History, and Performance-Enhancing Substances

4min

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:

Butler, Paul G. et al. “Variability of marine climate on the North Icelandic Shelf in a 1357-year proxy archive based on growth increments in the bivalve Arctica islandica.” Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. Volume 373, 2013. Pages 141-151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2012.01.016.
Barber, Elizabeth. “Scientists discover world's oldest clam, killing it in the process.” Christian Science Monitor. Nov. 15, 2013. https://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2013/1115/Scientists-discover-world-s-oldest-clam-killing-it-in-the-process
Binns, Daniel. “Blungling Scientists Kill World’s Oldest Creature – a Clam – After 507 Years in Sea.” Metro UK. Nov. 13, 2013. https://metro.co.uk/2013/11/13/bungling-scientists-kill-worlds-oldest-creature-a-clam-after-507-years-in-sea-4185580/
Brix, Lise. “New record: World’s oldest animal is 507 years old.” Science Nordic. Nov. 6, 2013. https://sciencenordic.com/ageing-denmark-geochemistry/new-record-worlds-oldest-animal-is-507-years-old/1392743
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-/
“Daughter Scotches Churchill Parrot Claim.” BBC. Jan. 21, 2004. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/3417353.stm
Elliot, Danielle. “Ming the Clam, World’s Oldest Animal, Was Actually 507 Years Old.” CBS News. Nov. 14, 2013. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ming-the-clam-worlds-oldest-animal-was-actually-507-years-old/
Farrar, Steve. “Ming the Mollusk Holds Secret to Long Life.” The Times. October 28, 2007. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ming-the-mollusc-holds-secret-to-long-life-mfcvbtxl6gr
Gamillo, Elizabeth. “At 190, Jonathan the Tortoise Is the World’s Oldest. Smithsonian. Feb. 4, 2022. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/at-190-jonathan-the-tortoise-is-the-worlds-oldest-living-land-animal-180979514/
Holmes, Anna. “Meet Ming the Clam – the Oldest Animal in the World!” Amgueddfa Blog. Feb. 11, 2020. https://museum.wales/blog/2122/Meet-Ming-the-clam---the-oldest-animal-in-the-world/#:~:text=At%20507%20years%20the%20Ocean,together%20as%20a%20collective%20form.· “In A Flap Over 'Churchill's' Old Bird.” SkyNews. Jan. 20, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20091204165346/http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Sky-News-Archive/Article/20080641119993
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
“How are seashells made?” Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. https://www.whoi.edu/know-your-ocean/did-you-know/how-are-seashells-made
“Jonathan at 140 Looks to the Future.” The Kansas City Times. Aug. 20, 1969. https://www.newspapers.com/image/675666450/?terms=%22tortoise%20st.%20helena%22%20&match=1
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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Stuff You Missed in History Class

Very Old Animals

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The Oldest Tortoise, Jonathan

Ming the Clam: The Oldest Non-Colonial Animal

Charlie the Macaw: A Long-Lived Bird

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AI-powered
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Save any
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Stuff You Missed in History Class

Very Old Animals

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The Oldest Tortoise, Jonathan

Ming the Clam: The Oldest Non-Colonial Animal

Charlie the Macaw: A Long-Lived Bird

Get the Snipdpodcast app

AI-poweredpodcast player

Discoverhighlights

Save anymoment

Share& Export

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Discoverhighlights

Get the Snipd
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