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Last Updated: Tuesday November 15 2005 10:34 GMT

Harriet the tortoise reaches 175

Harriet the tortoise with a mouthful of flowers
One of the world's oldest living animals, Harriet the tortoise, reached the grand old age of 175 on Tuesday.

Harriet has spent the past 17 years at Australia Zoo near Brisbane, but her keepers say the Giant Galapagos Land Tortoise had a famous previous owner.

They reckon scientist Charles Darwin, who came up with the theory of evolution, collected her in 1835.

Harriet is recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest living chelonian, or reptile with a shell.

Harriet celebrated her big day with a portion of a pink hibiscus flower cake.

One of her keepers, Richard Jackson, said the old girl was still a sprightly as ever: "She gets around fine. She's showing no real signs of slowing down."

Crocodile hunter Steve Irwin, who owns the zoo, said: "She would definitely be the oldest living animal on Earth. I can't see why she shouldn't live till 200."



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