London, August 4 (ANI): The world's oldest living animal has been recognized as a 178-year-old tortoise - Jonathan.

Jonathan was photographed during the Boer War around 1900 when he was 70, and now his life has spanned eight British monarchs from George IV to Elizabeth II, and 50 prime ministers.

The snap was taken on the South Atlantic island of St Helena, where Jonathan still lives, along with five other tortoises David, Speedy, Emma, Fredricka and Myrtle, in a plantation.

But his old age has certainly not dented his spirit as he still has the energy to regularly mate with the three younger females.

A spokesman for the island's tourist board said that St Helena government owns Jonathan and he lives in the specially built plantation on the governor's land.

"Jonathan is the sole survivor of three tortoises that arrived on St Helena Island in 1882," the Telegraph quoted him as saying.

"He was already mature when he arrived and was at least 50-years-old.

"Therefore his minimum age is 178-years-old. He is the oldest inhabitant on St Helena and is claimed to be the oldest living tortoise in the world.

"He lives in the grounds of Plantation House which is the governor's residence with five other tortoises who are much younger than him.

"Apparently he remained nameless for the most part of his residence in St Helena until he was named by Governor Sir Spencer Davis in the 1930s.

"He feeds on the grass of the main paddock.

"Jonathan is still very active despite his age and adores attention, he is a real poser.

"He seems to be sightless in one eye, but does not let that slow him down," he added.

The previous oldest tortoise was thought to be Harriet, a giant Galapagos Land tortoise, who died in 2005 aged 175 in Australia. (ANI)