How old do turtles get?
Turtles are reptiles that have inhabited the Earth for over 220 million years. They are known for their ability to reach a very old age, with some turtles even surpassing the human lifespan.
In the following, you will learn about the actual lifespan of turtles and the factors that influence their potential age.
Large Turtles Reach an Especially Advanced Age
When compared to similar mammals, the life expectancy of turtles is generally very high. However, it is typically the larger species that can achieve exceptionally old ages.
For instance, individual specimens of various giant turtles are known to have been reported to live to be 150 to 200 years old at the time of their death. In some cases, the age of certain turtles was allegedly well over 200 years.
Although the veracity of such claims is difficult to verify, it is undoubtedly true that turtles can live very long lives. Even small species like the Greek tortoise can sometimes reach an age well over 50 years.
Why Do Turtles Live So Long?
Turtles not only move noticeably slowly, but all essential processes in their bodies, from heartbeat to metabolism and digestion, are comparably slow as well.
This results in turtles aging more slowly than many other animals, leading to an accordingly increased life expectancy.
The average age of turtles is often lower
As you can see, some turtles can reach an incredibly old age. However, this does not mean that all turtles actually live that long. The reality is often different.
Especially in the wild, the lifespan of reptiles is usually significantly lower. For example, the average lifespan of Greek tortoises is estimated to be around 20 years.
Turtles kept as pets tend to live longer
When turtles are kept under appropriate conditions by humans, and potential hazards are minimized, their lifespan is generally much higher.
Considering this fact, when you choose to get a turtle as a pet, you are potentially committing to having a companion for the rest of your life.
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