Are you thinking of raising a turtle as a pet? If so, you must have the basic ideas about a tortoise. With the passing time, it seems like you’re going to make a perfect decision. Raising a tortoise is effortless compared to dogs and cats but more interactive than the fish.
So, how long do pet turtles live? When you’re going to take the turtles as pets, it is the first thing that’ll come into your mind.
In general, the life expectancy of the typical pet turtles is 10 to 80 years. Almost similar to human life expectancy, isn’t so? Therefore, if you want a longtime companion for you, then there’s perhaps a better option of a pet than a turtle.
Many pet turtles recognize their owner with their sound and sights. Isn’t it amazing? You can feel the charm only when you own a turtle and make it very obedient. Let’s first know the potential lifespan of a turtle with us.
How long do pet turtles live?
Most of the species of turtles live 10 to 80 years. Some larger species of turtles also live more than a decade. Indeed, it’s a higher lifespan than most other pet animals. The wild turtles live more than the pet turtles.
For the pet turtles, you need to take care to enhance their life expectancy. That’s because the turtles don’t like to live as a captive. When purchasing a turtle, could you not take it as a captive pet? Release it from the cage, hang out and spend some time with it.
Moreover, never irritate this calm animal. Nobody likes to be bullied even if he is in the capture.
What is the lifespan of other species of turtles?
While finding the accurate lifespan of a turtle, it’s almost impossible to give a specific answer. But there are estimated lifespans for nearly all species of turtles throughout the globe.
Here we have enlisted the life expectancy of different species of turtles. Let’s have a look.
- Red-eared slider turtles – They live around 25-35 years.
- Painted turtles – They live for 25-30 years.
- Leopard turtles – This spice of turtles live more than 100 years.
- Greek turtles – They also live more than 100 years.
- Russian turtles – This spice of turtles live more than 40 years.
- African Sideneck turtles – Their life expectancy is around 50 years.
- Easter box turtles – Their life expectancy is more than 50 years.
- Reeve’s turtles – They live up to 20 years.
- Wood turtles – The life expectancy of this spice is between 40-55 years.
- Musk turtles – Their life expectancy is around 30 to 50 years.
- Map turtles – The turtles live around 15 to 25 years.
- Mud turtles – The turtles live for 15 to 20 years.
How do the tortoises and turtles live so long?
There are very rare creatures on this earth who live so long as the turtles. But what is the mystery behind their longer living? A few years from now, we totally have no ideas about those secrets.
Luckily, the researchers have identified some factors that enhance the lifespans of the tortoises. Although these are not cut and clear answers, they affects much on the lifespan of the tortoise. Here are those factors.
Turtle’s slow growth
Turtles on this earth live more than one decade to four decades. The primary reason for their longer life is slow growth. Due to the slower growth, the tortoise can starve for a prolonged time without any food or water.
You hardly know such an animal who grows too slow like the turtles. Verily, the slow growth prevents the turtles from aging quickly, similar to the birds and mammals.
Green seas turtle’s slow heartbeats
The turtles that live in the green sea can minimize their heartbeat when it is necessary. The studies also say that the green sea tortoise can lower their heartbeats up to 9 minutes.
And showering the heartbeat is another crucial reason for the turtles living so long.
Turtle’s Reproduction method
The reproduction method also gives the turtles a prolonged lifespan, which many animals don’t get.
The researchers have said that the wild turtles have to live in an unfavorable atmosphere. The harsh environment doesn’t always remain suitable for successful breeding.
Hence, the turtles need to live for the longest time to procreate their next generation.
Turtle’s Body structure
The upper structure of the turtles is made of hard and thick shells. In contrast, its skin is armored, unlike most of the wild animals. This body structure gives the turtles luxurious time to live long and reproduce.
Turtle’s food habit
After researching the lifestyle of several turtle’s specie, the researchers have found something surprising.
The Galapagos, which are a giant-sized tortoise, takes a strictly vegetarian diet. The food that is full of green but fat and cholesterol-free are the main foods of those giant turtles.
Such a simple and plain diet places one of the referable reasons for the turtle’s long lifespan. Regardless of Galapagos turtles, many other turtle’s spices consume such light and natural food. That’s why they live for more than a decade.
Turtle’s lifestyle
The turtles and tortoises are well-known as the calm animal. For their whole life, they live a stress-free life. Consequently, the turtles never lose their health even when they get old.
Indeed, a stress-free and healthy life helps one to have an extended lifespan. That’s what the studies say about the turtles.
How to take care of a turtle?
If you’re planning to put a turtle, you need to know how to take care of them. That’s because the lifespan of a turtle is somehow dependent on how you’re caring about it.
So, if you want to keep your pet sound and stable, follow our guidelines to raise him.
Food and nourishment
The food types largely depend on the turtle’s spices you choose for raising. Verily, most of the tortoise consumes some common vegetables and fruits.
The green broccoli, beans, kale, etc. are the preferred food among them. The tortoises also take celery, lettuce, dandelion leaves as their ideal food. To ensure healthy growth and strength, you must give some supplements to your tortoise.
Some of those supplements are Calcium, Vitamin A, D3, and so on. However, to keep your pet healthy, it’s better to keep him indoor without the sun’s UV rays.
Water
Water is another essential ingredient that keeps a turtle hydrated and healthy. As the turtle’s eating process is slower, it always needs to stay hydrated to digest the food. Feed enough water to your turtles for keeping them hydrated and healthy.
Keep a shallow tray in front of your pet. The turtles will drink water from it as much as needed for the whole day. Don’t forget to replace the tray’s water regularly.
Handling
The outer structure of the tortoise is made of a strong and hard shell. No sooner do you fall the tortoise from your hand; it’s hard shell will break down.
So, always be careful while playing with the turtles taking in your hand. Furthermore, ensure the highest safety of your pet from children having it in your home.
Bathing
Bath your tortoise once in a week to keep it fully hydrated. Well, it doesn’t need so much preparation to bathe a tortoise.
Just soak your pet into a bowl of water. Keep its head up to the water while bathing. Make sure the water you’re using for bathing the tortoise is within the baby temperature.
Shelter
The tortoise doesn’t like to stay in the cage. It makes the little creature a captive animal. So, you have to select an outdoor shelter for your pet.
If you want to get an idea about the tortoise shelter, we would recommend choosing an aquarium. Of course, the aquarium’s upper side has to be unclosed so that the turtles can feel the fresh air.
You can also give your tortoise the feel of the exterior environment providing sufficient light in its home. Indeed, the heat from the light is essential for the turtle’s health.
Regardless of good health, sufficient light also gives a turtle’s pleasure even if it’s indoors. Learn more about care of a Pet Turtle
What you need to know about pet turtles! (Video)
The sum up!
All in all, the turtle is one of the long-living creatures on this earth. You cannot compare its lifespan with the other animals. That’s because there is hardly an animal on this earth who lives so long as a wild tortoise.
Plus, they are one of the coolest and calm animals which perhaps you’ll find another. When it comes to pet tortoises, that’s why you need to take care of them.
Hopefully, our guidelines have already shown how to take care of turtles if you recently had one.
