Study finds 194-year-old tortoise is 'aging more slowly than you would expect'

NPR | By Kathryn Fink,

Mary Louise Kelly, Mallory Yu

Published October 8, 2026 at 5:19 PM EDT

Researchers are studying the genome of the world's oldest land animal — a 194-year-old tortoise named Jonathan — to uncover secrets about his longevity.

Kathryn Fink

Kathryn Fink is a producer with NPR's All Things Considered.

Mary Louise Kelly

Mary Louise Kelly is a host of All Things Considered, NPR's flagship afternoon newsmagazine. She is also the host of NPR's national security podcast, Sources & Methods.

See stories by Mary Louise Kelly

Mallory Yu

Mallory Yu is an associate producer for All Things Considered.

See stories by Mallory Yu

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