World's oldest tortoise: Jonathan to get three-day party

Jonathan the tortoise, the oldest tortoise ever, turns 190 this year and he will be celebrating in style.

There will be a three-day party for him at his home on the island of St Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean.

Locals are invited to Jonathan and his tortoise friends at his paddock for the special event on the 3, 4 and 5 December.

Further details of the event have not yet been released but we are hoping there will be cake, party hats and music - it's not every year you turn 190!

Jonathan lives in the grounds of Plantation House on the island, the official residence of the Governor of St Helena.

Vet Joe Hollins who helps care for him said: "I do think he's fabulous actually, he's a great animal. And as a vet - what greater privilege is there than to be looking after the oldest known living land animal in the world? I mean, how often does that happen?"

"He's doing fabulously, now he's sort of in his rest home, the paddock at Plantation, getting special care. Since we've been feeding him once a week with a bit of nutritious food to get him the vitamins, minerals and trace elements, his beak has sharpened up dramatically, so he can now cut and eat grass again. A few decades back, his beak was blunt and crumbly. And he's put on weight and is more lively as well," he added.

Although we don't know exactly how old Jonathan is, scientists believe he is celebrating his 190th birthday this year.

A photograph taken in 1882 shows that when Jonathan was originally brought to the island he was already fully grown - which scientists say would indicate he was about 50 years of age at the time.

He now holds two Guinness World Records.

He's the oldest living land animal and was recently named the oldest tortoise ever, or to be more exact the oldest chelonian - a category which includes all turtles, terrapins and tortoises.

Happy birthday Jonathan, hope you are enjoying your birthday year!