Jonathan the Giant Tortoise: Longevity and Breathing Rate

Have you heard of Jonathan? Not the seagull, but

the giant tortoise.

Jonathan, the giant tortoise, is nearing two hundred

years of age and is the oldest known, uh,

living terrestrial animal. The oldest giant tortoise

of our time was believed to be two hundred fifty

years old.

What's unique about giant tortoises

beside their incredible longevity,

one of the highest in the animal kingdom?

Well, their respiratory rate is one of the lowest

in the entire

animal kingdom.

The giant tortoise breathes at a rate of four

times per minute. That's four breath cycles per

minute.

Not far behind the giant tortoise is the whale, with an average

life expectancy of a hundred years and an average

respiratory rate of six breath cycles-