Get your Politiken Edition subscription

A giant tortoise is nearing two centuries. A new study examined his DNA to see what, if anything, we might learn.

Jonathan is 194. What’s the secret?

Jonathan (left) and David (right). Two Aldabra giant tortoises. Foto: Joe Hollins 2019
Jonathan (left) and David (right). Two Aldabra giant tortoises. Foto: Joe Hollins 2019

On the island of St. Helena, nearly 2000 kilometers off the coast of South Africa, a true record-holder is out for a stroll.

With ash-gray, wrinkled skin and a slightly domed shell that stretches back to the decade when the electric telegraph was invented and all the way to today.

This is for subscribers' eyes only

But don’t you worry. Your Politiken Edition subscription is just one click away. We are looking forward to bringing you a handpicked selection of Politiken's stories - translated into English. Your subscription includes unlimited access to The New York Times.

Read more about Politiken Edition here
Already a subscriber? Welcome back. Sign in here
Edition 2

© All material on this page is subject to the applicable copyright law.Read policy