Timothy (tortoise)

Timothy the tortoise
The Tag attached to "him" says "My name is Timothy. I am very old - please do not pick me up"

Timothy (c. 1839 – 3 April 2004) was a Mediterranean Spur-thighed tortoise who was thought to be approximately 165 years old at the time of her death. This made her the UK's oldest known resident.^[1] In spite of her name, Timothy was female; it was not properly known how to sex tortoises in the 19th century.

Timothy was found aboard a Portuguese privateer in 1854 by Captain John Courtenay Everard, of the Royal Navy. The tortoise served as a mascot on a series of Navy vessels until 1892. She was ship's mascot of HMS Queen during the first bombardment of Sevastopol in the Crimean War (she was the last survivor of this war),^[2] then moved to Princess Charlotte followed by Nankin.^[1] After her navy service she retired to live out her life on dry land, taken in by the Earl of Devon at his home Powderham Castle.^[2] On her underside was etched the family motto, "Where have I fallen? What have I done?"

In 1926, Timothy's owners decided that he should mate and it was then discovered that "he" was female.^[1]^[3] Despite this useful information, mating attempts were unsuccessful.

Timothy is buried near the place of her demise at the Earl of Devon's home Powderham Castle.^[2]