THE oldest giant tortoise in the world could be gay, it has emerged.

Jonathan - who at an incredible 186 years old is probably the oldest creature on earth - has been living on the island of St Helena since the 19th century.

4 Jonathan, 186, is the oldest giant tortoise and probably the oldest animal in the world Credit: Getty - Contributor

But experts in the British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic recently discovered the old-timer’s girlfriend of the last 26 years is probably a male, The Times reported.

Tortoises of all varieties do not have easily identifiable differences between males and females.

Instead, gender is told by subtle clues like notches in the shell or stomach shape.

Jonathan has been mating with another tortoise called Frederica since 1991, when locals decided he need a girlfriend after he became irritable and started knocking over benches and interrupting croquet games.

4 Jonathan, pictured with vet Dr Joe Hollins, has been mating with another tortoise since 1991 Credit: Bournemouth News & Picture Service

4 Jonathan is pictured in 1900 with a guard and a prisoner captured in the Boer War Credit: Rex Features

Catherine Man, the island vet, said the two animals do everything together – eating, sleeping and mating at set times.

But while treating the female for a lesion on her shell, closer inspection revealed Frederica could actually be a Fred.

Residents had been baffled by the fact the couple had never had any young – but the revelation could now finally have solved the mystery.

Jonathan is St Helena’s most famous resident and governors are reportedly terrified he will pass away on their watch.

4 Jonathan has been living on St Helena since the 1880s Credit: Reuters

At 186, he has already outlived the life expectancy of giant tortoises – 150 – by more than 35 years.

He has been living on the island since he was given as a gift to the governor by the Seychelles in the 1880s.

Jonathan has since been pictured with royalty and statesmen from around the world.

He even famously once posed with prisoners captured during the Boer War that were being held on St Helena.

MORE ANIMAL STORIES SQUATCH WATCH Farmer claims he spotted whole Bigfoot FAMILY carrying a pig in his orchard DYING WISH Heartwarming moment dying OAP granted his dying wish of seeing his beloved horse Pictured SCENIC THE HEDGEHOG Meet Azuki the camping hedgehog who has 184,000 Instagram followers BOAR WARS Outrage as dogs and boars forced to fight to the death in sickening bloodsport MOGGIE APPEAL These are Britain's most unwanted cats... and all of them are in need of a loving home OWL ABOUT THAT? Eerie and super-rare 'ghost owl' with white feathers spotted in Britain

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368 . We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.