How long do turtles live? Here are the expected lifespans for pet, wild tortoises.
For pet owners, aquarium goers and nature lovers, turtles are a spectacle to behold with intricate shells and long lifespans.
Turtles exist in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes. Red-eared sliders, African sideneck turtles, common musk turtles and eastern box turtles make typical house pets, while Galapagos tortoises, ranking as the world’s largest tortoises, are a wonder seen only in the wild.
The question of their age also varies in range. As a pet owner, it’s important to know the longevity of your new pet and how long it will be a part of your life.
How long do turtles live?
A turtle's lifespan depends on the species, but most aquatic species live into their 40s, PetMD reports. Smaller species live only about a quarter of a century, and terrestrial box turtles typically live to 40 or 50 years but can live to be 100.
Here’s what the Spruce Pets says about the lifespans of common pet turtles:
Red-eared slider: 25-35 years
Map turtle: 15-25 years
Wood turtle: 40-55 years
Eastern box turtle: 50 years and beyond
Painted turtle: 25 to 30 years
Russian tortoise: 40 years or more
Greek tortoise: 100 years or above
Leopard tortoise: 100 years or more
The oldest living tortoise recently turned 191. Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise, lives on an island in the British territory St. Helena. The previous record was held by 188-year-old Tu’i Malila, a Madagascar tortoise who lived from 1777 to 1965, Smithsonian Magazine reports.
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Why do turtles live so long?
What you’ve heard about turtles being slow is true: Turtles have a slower metabolism than other animals, making their disease and aging process occur at a slower rate.
Turtles can also live for long periods without food and water, PetMD writes, and sometimes enter hibernation-like stages where they live underwater for months at a time.
How to care for a pet turtle
Pet owners can give their turtles adequate care and keep them alive for longer by keeping their water temperature at 78 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit with a basking area of 80 to 85 degrees, PetMD says. It’s also recommended to give your turtle a mix of commercial turtle food and leafy vegetables like lettuce or dandelion greens.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How long do turtles live? Typical lifespan, plus record-breaking pets.
