How long do turtles live at home (life expectancy in years): land, aquatic

The lifespan of a turtle is one of the main questions that arises when choosing a pet. It is no secret that among all vertebrate animals, turtles are considered long-lived. Moreover, these are one of the few animals that can live without food and water for quite a long time. But such a lifestyle negatively affects not only the health of the reptile, but also significantly shortens its lifespan. In the article we will find out how long turtles live, as well as what affects the life expectancy of reptiles.

In nature, there are about 328 species of turtles, which make up 14 families. All turtles can be divided into 2 groups: sea and land. Terrestrials, in turn, are divided into land and freshwater.

Turtles can live from 20 years to 300 years. The lifespan of a turtle depends primarily on the species, and then on external conditions. However, it is difficult to give an exact answer to the question “How long do turtles live in nature”, since tracking is quite difficult. You can only derive average values ​​that you can rely on.

Lifespan of turtles

Many people consider turtles to be the record holders for life expectancy. But this opinion is based on rare cases of old-timers belonging to large species. But in fact, the survival rate of the young is very low, and the population is maintained by the large number of eggs in the clutch. In the best case, no more than 60% of them hatch, and in the worst case, no more than 5%. The remaining eggs are eaten by predators. Young animals are also a tasty morsel for most animals, as well as for people.

Very few individuals live to be 30 years old. On average, it is believed that a turtle lives no more than 20 years. And the age of old-timers largely depends on the factor of luck. The reptile cannot get out of its shell - it is fused with it.

The larger the individual, the longer its lifespan:

• small ones live no more than half a century;
• large ones - up to 80 years and longer.

If you raise a turtle at home, its life can be either shortened or significantly increased. The latter becomes possible thanks to comfortable living conditions and the absence of dangers.

There are 5 popular types

Features of feeding by season

Despite the fact that at home turtles practically do not feel the change of seasons, by winter they become less active. Owners of an exotic pet should remember that it is better not to let it hibernate - it requires special care, and in the spring the animal may not wake up.

As activity decreases, the amount of food consumed also decreases. However, the menu should remain as varied as possible. During this period, seasonal vegetables will be useful for turtles - cabbage, beets, carrots, as well as raw meat and boiled eggs. All products are consumed in moderation.

In addition, calcium supplements continue to be given, and special multivitamins are given to prevent diseases.

If there are doubts about the balance of the home diet, you can switch the animal to ready-made food.

Feeding your pet turtle well is quite easy. Her diet includes familiar foods that are constantly in every person’s refrigerator. However, you should not treat your pet to everything in unlimited quantities. The main thing is that the food is varied, suitable in appearance and fresh.

Aquariums for red-eared turtles

Turtles are born up to 3 cm in size, but by the age of 3, with proper nutrition, they can grow up to 15 cm, so even at the stage of purchasing a terrarium, you should immediately think about purchasing a spacious tank. When thinking about which aquarium for a red-eared slider will be the most successful, give preference to glass tanks with a volume of 100 liters or more (even better, 200 liters or more) per mature individual. It is advisable to choose low and wide containers with a large bottom area; you will have to allocate up to 25% of the space for arranging an artificial coastline.

Reptiles need land for rest and sunbathing; here they dry their bodies under ultraviolet lamps and warm up after water procedures. To prevent your pets from running away, do not place artificial islands closer than 30 cm from the edge of the aquarium and take care of a durable terrarium lid with ventilation holes. A red-eared turtle at home requires a pool with a water layer depth of 40 cm. The islands are made durable, with rough soil and a slope from the bottom; you can use ready-made store-bought structures.

What does a red-eared turtle need in an aquarium?

To solve the problem of how to equip an aquarium for a red-eared turtle, you need to purchase a complete list of the most necessary equipment. With suitable devices, it is easier to maintain an optimal microclimate and a stable temperature of the aquatic environment inside the terrarium. The design of the interior space has aesthetic value; without artificial plants, snags and grottoes, the home of a red-eared turtle at home looks poor and unpresentable.

Basic equipment for a home terrarium:

• water heaters;
• external or internal filter;
• ultraviolet spotlight with UVB 5% radiation to accelerate the synthesis of vitamin D3 by the turtles’ body at home (kids need a UVB 10% lamp);
• lamps with incandescent lamps for heating the interior space;
• thermometer;
• artificial island;
• artificial decorations.

Water temperature for a red-eared slider in an aquarium

At home, the red-eared turtle spends most of its time in the aquatic environment, so its standing directly affects the health of the reptile. We make sure that the water temperature stays between 22-28°C. When it decreases, animals become lethargic, their appetite decreases, and their immunity deteriorates. If the temperature is high, then the pets do not swim, they sit more on the island, which negatively affects their health. Water for red-eared turtles at home is used purified and settled, without ammonia and chlorine impurities.

Species of reptiles

There are many species of turtles found in nature, each of which has its own characteristics and lifespan. But not all of them can be grown at home. The most popular are:

1. Land turtle - this species includes more than ten genera. Its habitat is the warm latitudes of many continents. Most often, representatives of this species can be found in the desert or steppe, but you can also see them in the forest. They are represented by large-sized individuals with thick legs and a large shell. A distinctive feature is the fused fingers. They can live in natural conditions for up to 100 years. Most people do not live in households longer than 40 years.
2. Central Asian - refers to a type of land. A distinctive feature is the shell, which is divided into several sectors and has a yellow or spotted tint. This species can be found in the desert, foothills and near bodies of water. These are small individuals that live no more than 30 years in captivity. Their lifespan in nature is not precisely determined, but on average it is accepted to take 50 years.
3. Marine - most often found in warm waters of seas and oceans. They differ from land animals not only in their legs, which look like flippers, but also in their elongated shell. The animal cannot pull its head and legs inside its shell. Most often, sea turtles can be found in large aquariums and zoos. In nature, they can live up to 80 years. But it is impossible to determine how long sea turtles live at home. They are not grown in houses and apartments, because such large individuals will not fit in any aquarium and their maintenance is associated with certain difficulties.

Depending on habitat conditions, a turtle can live longer

1. Aquatic turtle - refers to small individuals that do not grow more than 30 cm. Most often found in the fresh waters of South Africa, Asia and Japan. At home he feels great. This turtle lives up to 50 years both in captivity and in the natural environment.
2. The red-eared or yellow-bellied variety is a freshwater species. Its size rarely reaches 30 cm, males are slightly smaller than females. It got its name because of the red spots on the head in the eye area. Makes sounds similar to hissing or squealing. Found in fresh water lakes and ponds. Able to live up to 50 years.

Not all representatives of these species of reptiles can be kept at home. But still, most of them are found in captivity.

Land

Land turtles live in deserts, steppes and tropical rainforests. Some members of this family live longer than all other species and are considered centenarians. Depending on the subspecies, the average age of a turtle can reach 50-100 years.

At home, land turtles live for about 30-40 years, exceeding the life expectancy of their waterfowl counterparts. This is due to the unpretentiousness of the family and simpler living conditions.

Central Asian

The most common type of turtle, the mottled yellow-brown turtle, can live for about 50 years. In captivity, the average lifespan is reduced to 30 years.

Desert

Western desert gophers live in North American deserts and some southwestern states (Nevada, Utah). On average, desert tortoises live 50-80 years.

Gigantic

It is in this group, distinguished by impressive parameters, that long-lived turtles are found:

• Radiant. The maximum life expectancy was recorded for the turtle Tui Malila. The turtle belonged to the leader of the island of Tonga and was donated by James Cook himself. There are no surviving documents indicating her exact age, but it is assumed that she was at least 192 years old at the time of her death.

• Elephant. The cause of death of the tortoise Harietta from the Australian Zoo was heart failure. She died at the age of 177, having acquired the impressive size of a small dining table. IMPORTANT! Unlike Tui Malila, Garietta's age is documented, so she is awarded the title of the oldest turtle in the Guinness Book of Records.

• Gigantic. Among the record holders from the Seychelles there are 2 representatives: Female Advaita. The exact age of this giant turtle could not be determined, but it is known that at the time of death she was at least 150 years old.

  
  Male Kiki. Kiki lived in the Paris Zoo and died at the age of 146, having contracted an intestinal infection.

IMPORTANT! The maximum age recorded for turtles exceeds that of other vertebrates.

American freshwater

The turtle family lives on the territory of 2 continents of America, Asia and Europe. Freshwater fish are distinguished by their small or medium size, streamlined oval shell, sharp claws and bright color.

Asian freshwater

Asian freshwater fish live in the Middle East, southern Africa and Asian countries (China, Vietnam, Japan).

In the territory of the former socialist countries, you can find only 1 species - the Caspian turtle, which lives in natural ponds and lakes and artificial reservoirs with river water supply.

The main condition for this species is the presence of running water.

Aquatic turtles are often kept indoors, where they live for about 40 years.

Painted

Turtles with interesting colors are very popular in the United States. If in nature their duration is about 55 years, then in captivity it is reduced to 15-25 years.

IMPORTANT! Oregon law prohibits keeping painted turtles as pets.

Life at home

At home, a turtle can live a very long time compared to its natural habitat, which is achieved by balancing risk factors.

Several conditions can affect the lifespan of a reptile:

• correctness of the selected diet;
• conditions of detention;
• detection of diseases and their timely treatment;
• possible injuries to the pet.

In this video you will find out how long turtles live:

Small individuals can live in captivity up to 30 years, larger ones - up to 50. But in a zoo, this period increases significantly. This is due to better conditions in old age.

Causes of premature death

The most common causes of death of pets are:

1. Improper conditions of detention. Small aquarium, dirty unfiltered water, untimely cleaning, inappropriate temperature conditions.
2. Infections. They can appear from aquarium plants, decorative elements, and live food.
3. Poor nutrition and lack of vitamins. In nature, a turtle can compensate for the deficiency of any element on its own; when kept at home, monitoring the diet is the owner’s task.
4. Lack of qualified veterinary specialists who can correctly and timely diagnose health problems and prescribe adequate treatment.

Red-eared turtles in nature

Rules for determining age

Many factors influence how long red-eared turtles or other species live. But many of the reptiles can become real long-livers. The exact age of an individual can be determined using carbon analysis of the shell. This is how the oldest turtles were identified. But this cannot be done on a living fauna. Therefore, scientists use more gentle methods for this purpose:

1. Shell length. It changes by about two centimeters per year. At birth, it is only three centimeters, and therefore it is enough to measure the shell of an adult and carry out simple calculations to get its approximate age.
2. Counting tree rings. This method is less accurate, but nevertheless quite informative. The scales that gradually grow on the surface of the house are counted. This is much easier to do in young individuals than in old ones. In the latter, the shell is greatly smoothed out.

But no known method can give an accurate result, because the formation of the shell is also influenced by the animal’s diet, living conditions and health.

The oldest turtle lived 177 years

How to extend the life of a turtle

It is not difficult to increase the time that a turtle spends next to its owner - just take care of the pet and protect it from adversity and disease. This requires very little effort:

• Spacious and roomy terrarium, equipped with a sushi island and a UV lamp.
• Regular examination of the animal to check the well-being and injuries on the body.
• Quarantine for newly arrived pets, control over the quality of food and new decorations, plants and equipment.
• Maintaining parameters of the aquatic environment, humidity and temperature in the terrarium.
• Correct and regular feeding, consisting of natural products.

Having fulfilled these requirements, you don’t have to worry that your turtle friend will soon leave the owner.

Red-eared turtles are charming and funny creatures that can stay close to their owners for a long time, bringing peace and tranquility.

However, the life of pets can be cut short at any time due to the fault of the owner, so it is important to properly organize the conditions for turtles in captivity, showing care and respect for the silent friend.

The oldest turtle

You can determine how long aquatic turtles live by looking at the annual rings on their shells, but according to sources, there are individuals in the world that have survived several eras. And this was witnessed by their owners, to whom the pets were inherited for more than one generation.

The oldest turtle is considered to be the one raised by Charles Darwin. He brought it from the Galapagos Islands, about the size of a saucer. But by the time of his death, the turtle had grown to incredible sizes. Its weight is more than half a centner. She outlived her owner by 105 years and died at the age of 177.

Another famous long-liver is the Giant Tortoise, originally from the Seychelles. According to various sources, she lived from 150 to 200 years. There is no more precise information.

The radiant turtle Tui Malila, given by Captain Cook himself to the leader of the Tongan natives, lived to be 200 years old. This fact has not been documented, but an analysis of the shell showed exactly this period.

It is impossible to determine exactly how many years turtles of one species or another live. Their ages can only be given approximately. Therefore, it is quite possible that the grandchildren will inherit a small walking table weighing up to 50-100 kg. But, in any case, the health and longevity of the turtle will depend entirely on how well its owners take care of it.

Care, maintenance and treatment of your pet

The shell is an important part of the body of every turtle. It protects the turtle from phenomena dangerous to it.

Aquatic turtle The largest turtle in the world

The longest-living microorganisms are endoliths (10,000 years)

Determining the lifespan of microorganisms is a rather complex process. In a sense, all bacteria are immortal because they spread their genetic information by constantly dividing (rather than, like most higher animals, by having sex). The term "endoliths" refers to bacteria, fungi, archaea or algae that live deep underground in rock crevices, corals and animal shells. Research has shown that some individuals from endolith colonies undergo cell division only once every hundred years, and their life expectancy reaches 10,000 years. Technically, this is different from the ability of some microorganisms to revive after stagnation or deep freezing after tens of thousands of years. Endoliths are literally constantly “alive”, although not very active. They are autotrophic organisms that carry out metabolism not with the help of oxygen or sunlight, but using inorganic chemicals that are practically inexhaustible in their habitats.

Adviсe

1. Do not keep reptiles of different species in the same terrarium.
2. If the reptile escaped from the aquarium and cannot be found, place a bowl of water and your pet's favorite food indoors. Turtles have good eyesight and will respond quickly to treats and water.
3. Remember that the depth of the reservoir should allow the animal to easily stick its head out and keep it on the surface.
4. Install two thermometers in the aquarium: one for water, the other for air.
5. When taking baths, clean the shell with a soft sponge. Brushes injure the animal.

The longest-living turtles are the elephant turtle named Harietta, who lived 175 years, and the Madagascan radiant turtle, Tui Malila, who lived 192 years. Domestic species do not live that long, but they delight their owners for a long time.

When getting any pet - a parrot, fish, rabbit, cat or turtle, there is a natural desire to find out how many years it will live.

After all, many people perceive their pets as full-fledged members of the family and want to enjoy their company longer. People buying a red-eared turtle should take into account that although reptiles are among the longest-livers of the natural world, without proper care they risk not living even half of their allotted life.

The longest living shark is the Greenland shark (400 years)

If there were any justice in the world, the Greenland shark would be as famous as the great white shark: it is also large (some adults exceed 1000 kg) and much more exotic, given its northern Arctic habitat. You might think the Greenland shark is as dangerous as a jaw star, but while a hungry white shark will bite you in half, the Grenadian shark is relatively harmless to humans. However, the most remarkable fact about the Greenland shark is its lifespan of over 400 years. This longevity is explained by the cold habitat and very low metabolism. Surprisingly, these sharks reach sexual maturity after 100 years, despite the fact that most other vertebrates at this age are not only sexually inactive, but are long dead!

The longest living mollusk is the Icelandic cyprina (Arctica islandica) (500 years)

A 500-year-old clam sounds like a joke since most clams are practically motionless, so how can you tell with certainty whether it is alive or not? However, there are scientists who study such things, and they have determined that the Icelandic cyprina (Arctica islandica) can literally live for centuries, as evidenced by one specimen that passed the 500 year mark (you can determine the age of a clam by counting the growth rings on its shell). Ironically, cyprina is also a popular food in some parts of the world, meaning that most shellfish will never be able to celebrate their 500th anniversary. Biologists have yet to figure out why Arctica islandica live so long, but one reason may be the relatively stable levels of antioxidants that prevent the cellular damage responsible for most signs of aging in animals.

The longest living mammal is the bowhead whale (200 years)

Typically, larger mammals have relatively long lifespans, but even by this standard, bowhead whales are far ahead, often exceeding the 200-year mark. Recently, analysis of the bowhead whale genome has shed some light on this mystery: it turns out that these whales have unique genes that help with DNA repair and resistance to mutations (and therefore cancer). Because the bowhead whale lives in arctic and subarctic waters, its relatively slow metabolism may also have something to do with its longevity. Today, there are about 25,000 bowhead whales in the northern hemisphere, a positive population recovery trend since 1966, when major international efforts were made to curb whalers.

Archelon

Archelon
Archelon, this is the nickname the three-ton amphibian beauty bore. This species could reach five meters in length, the head making up a seventh of the entire length of the body. These giants moved thanks to their front flippers, similar to giant wings. The main diet consisted of jellyfish and crustaceans existing in considerable quantities.

Mosasaurus

The only people to be afraid of this kind of species were sharks and now extinct reptiles similar to giant snakes - mosasaurs. During the breeding season, turtles laid eggs on land, and then returned to the peace of the seabed.

The longest living insect is the queen termite (50 years)

People usually think that insects only live for a few days or weeks, but when you're especially important, all the rules break down. Regardless of the species, a termite colony is ruled by a king and queen. Once inseminated by a male, the queen slowly increases her egg production, starting with a few dozen eggs and eventually reaching a target of about 25,000 eggs per day (not all of these eggs mature, of course). Far from becoming predators' dinner, termite queens have been known to reach 50 years of age, and termite kings (who spend almost their entire lives locked in the mating chamber with their fertile queens) also have relatively long lives. As for the simple worker termites that make up the bulk of the colony, they live a maximum of one to two years. This is the fate of an ordinary slave.