World’s Oldest Tortoise Gets His First Wash In 184 Years

Plants and Animals





Photo credit:

St Helena Government/YouTube

Jonathan the tortoise – Earth’s oldest known living animal – has had his first bath in 184 years.

The historical scrub-up is in preparation for a royal visit (the identity of this royal is apparently a mystery) to the tortoise's stomping grounds on the south Atlantic island of St Helena. He was helped out by Dr. Joe Hollins, a vet on the tiny British outpost island, who used surgical soap, soft brushes, and a loofah to wash off the decades of dirt from his shell.