She's worked as a professional animal trainer in private, shelter, and remote settings since 2012. Aquarium. Captivity sounds good for snapping turtles as people misunderstand them as low-maintenance pets. Some pets have lifespans that vary wildly. Luckily we know far more now about the box turtle life cycle, and how to secure a long and healthy live for them. Abscesses and respiratory infections are often secondary to a Vitamin A deficiency, whereas shell infections usually come from poor water quality or an injury. From the cost to keep a pet turtle to its dietary requirements, it’s important to know what you’re getting into. Other famously long-lived tortoises include Timothy, who died at the age of 160; Harriet, a Galapagos giant tortoise who died at the age of 175; Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise who died at age 187; and Tu’i Malila, a radiated tortoise who died at age 188. Dirty living conditions and the stress that comes with them can dramatically shorten your turtle's life. Mud turtles generally live for about 30 years but can live to be 50 with the right care. It should have a screened lid and a filter. The daily risks for an outdoor turtle are much higher than the risks for an indoor turtle, so be sure your pond or habitat is secured from predators and has adequate protection from the elements. Turtles are one of the most adorable pets to care for and keep in your aquarium. There are several factors to consider when choosing a … For example, a typical pet turtle can live between 10 and 80 years or so while larger species can easily live over 100 years. Read on to learn about the most common types of pet turtles so you can decide which one is right for you. A diet isn’t the only component of a healthy turtle. Almost all of these dates are estimates that can’t really be confirmed. ... Pet turtles have been popular for a long time. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Share this on Your Blog Larger turtles and tortoises can live extremely long lives. UVB lighting: this should be placed above the basking dock (turtles WILL get sick without this) The specific care of different turtles varies. Turtles that live in outdoor ponds or tortoises that live in the backyard are more vulnerable to predation and the elements than their indoor-dwelling counterparts. These dates haven’t been verified. A few other pets have lifespan averages a little above 5 years includes: Rabbits; Prairie dogs; Anole lizards; Flying squirrels; Chipmunks; Ferrets; Helga Birna Jónasdóttir (CC BY 2.0) Via Flickr . You probably won’t notice parasites unless you have your vet do regular fecal screenings for your pet. Exhibit A: Tina Turtle. (No, seriously.). A lot of people ask how old their pet turtles or tortoises will live for. Keep wild animals away that could expose your pet to diseases. Box Turtle Lifespan: Provide adequate care to box turtle as once they hit the maturity age the chance of death does not increase. Read about George. Of course, feeding your turtle a healthy diet is an important component of helping it live a long and healthy life. Baby red-eared sliders were readily available and inexpensive many years ago, which unfortunately resulted in a lot of neglected turtles. Your pet turtle’s lifespan and health primarily depend on what types of food they eat. The smaller species that are more common as pets are shorter-lived but still may survive several decades. They can live quite a long time and grow much, much bigger than you might expect. So, if you are lazy and just want something "neat and cool to have as a pet," then a turtle or tortoise is not the right choice for you. Please do research and heavily consider your decision when getting a pet turtle. The proper temperature is also important for keeping your turtle happy and healthy. Bad turtle care in the past mean that many pet turtles died prematurely. Those cute little red-eared sliders you see in the pet store? These guys are strong swimmers and need an aquarium that’s at least 55 gallons in volume. Calcium deficiency, often secondary to Vitamin D deficiency, is a major problem in turtles and tortoises that are kept indoors without a UV light and can cause soft shells and poor growth. Time to draw up that will! Snapping turtles have a surprisingly long lifespan. And today, that means some people still underestimate healthy box turtle life expectancy. It’s no secret that turtles are known to live longer lives than many other pets. Their growth and depends on food, water, illness. Turtles and tortoises need about 10 gallons of tank space for every inch of shell. Featured Content | Frequently Asked Questions About Dogs | Most Popular Dog Breeds | Why You Should Get Pet Insurance, The Life Span of a Turtle Compared to Other Animals. The lifespan of a turtle varies greatly depending on the species of turtle. These are not ordinary pet turtles you can get in pet stores. Be aware of the typical diseases that threaten your specific species of turtle. Your turtle's lifespan depends on its species, its diet and other aspects of its environment that you can control. All turtles have the potential to enjoy a very long lifespan that can span several decades if cared for properly. Turtles have slower metabolisms, and it simply takes them longer to grow old. These turtles are light tan in color and their shells, as their name suggests, feature a ridge along the top. On the other hand, if you’re not sure you’re willing to commit several decades to caring for your new pet, the turtle might not be right. They can save themselves from any attack by simply hiding and closing their shell. Be sure your pet can't escape from the habitat by burrowing under the fencing. Many turtles do well with a mix of commercial turtle pellets and fresh foods, but the exact proportions and types of pellets and fresh foods will vary widely. While turtles in captivity don’t tend to live as long as their wild counterparts, some can live longer than their human keepers. Kayla Fratt is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant. Adwaita lived in a zoo in India and died at the age of 255 if claims are to be believed. A clean enclosure with enough space will also go a long way to keeping your turtle disease-free. A proper diet can help avoid Vitamin A deficiency, one of the most common health problems for pet turtles. PAINTED TURTLE AS PETS: Unique Guide on Painted Turtle, Its Sizes, Lifespan, Food and Other Characteristics Painted Turtle As Pet: The Definitive Guide On Keeping Painted Turtle As Pet, Painted Turtles Care, Feeding And Housing Sea turtles typically live between 30 and 50 years, and some anecdotal record show that they could live up to 150 years. Lonesome George, the last known Pinta Island Giant Tortoise died today. Lifespan. He was thought to be in his 100s. Here is a list of pets that live longer than what most people think. Several common species of pet water turtles can live into their 40s, though there are many factors that will influence how long your pet turtle lives. or water turtles - they require a lot of room, and a lot of care. Dr. Saint-Erne is is part of The Spruce Pets' veterinary review board. Be sure that your turtle is well-cared-for with regular vet visits. Some species, like the softshell turtle, eat mostly fish and meat. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Turtles And Tortoises Have A Long Lifespan. Several common species of Their cousins, the wild carp, generally live twice as long. They need room. In the Wild These are wild animals that grow big and need different conditions compared to typical aquatic pet turtles. While turtles in captivity don’t tend to live as long as their wild counterparts, some can live longer than their human keepers. Scroll down and down and down to find out…. They are long lived, and grow for their entire lifespan. basking dock: turtles need to be able to get completely in and out of their water as they please. Dr. Nick Saint-Erne has worked in veterinary hospitals treating a variety of animals, including zoo animals and exotic pets for over 35 years. With so many options available in the market, it may be challenging to choose the best food for your turtle. If you're hoping to know your turtle's potential lifespan, first identify the species of your turtle. Learn how to create a happy, healthy home for your pet. On average, pet turtles live 20 years or more. Some species of tortoises can live 100 years or more. The second most important thing you should be aware of is the commitment you make when you buy a snapping turtle. Caring for Different Turtle and Tortoise Species, 5 Winter Accessories You Didn’t Know Your Animals Need. The short answer to that question, a really long time. Whether they are land turtles (box, tortoise, etc.) An outdoor pet turtle may get eaten or harassed by other pets and wildlife. The Life Span of a Turtle Compared to Other Animals. Red-eared sliders if cared for properly are likely to survive into their 30s. A lot of people ask how old their pet turtles or tortoises will live for. Domestic goldfish may only live a couple of years, but goldfish in a garden pond will probably live over a decade. If you’re looking for a pet you can spend a lifetime getting to know, the turtle is the perfect option. How Health Affects Your Box Turtle’s Life Expectancy. The short answer to that question, a really long time. This will help you know how to prevent them or catch the symptoms early. CaringPets strives to provide pet owners with care information that is backed by research and covers best practices among industry experts. The oldest known captive goldfish lived to be 43. Be sure to properly research the ideal diet of your new pet turtle. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Turtle diets can vary widely depending on the species. It might seem that another endangered species has gone extinct. Adwaita, an Aldabra giant tortoise, is probably the longest-living tortoise on record. Tortoises can easily live past their 50s and even into their 80s, which means it’s quite possible that your turtle or tortoise will outlive you. It’s hard to verify these claims because the tortoises obviously outlived their owners. In case you wish to keep alligator snapping turtles as your pet, their lifespan is much longer than common snappers, i.e., approximately 70-80 years in captivity. The bottom line is that most turtles will easily live at least a few decades if they survive past the first few years of life. Their average lifespan is 50 years but some may live for 100 years. Abscesses, shell infections, respiratory infections, and parasites are all relatively common in pet turtles. Some species of tortoises can live 100 years or more. Pets That Live Longer Than Five Years. 10 Types of Pet Turtles The American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists uses "turtle" to describe all species of the order Testudines, regardless of whether they are land-dwelling or sea-dwelling, and uses "tortoise" as a more specific term for slow-moving terrestrial species. Other species, like the red-eared slider, eat a mix of insects, fish, and veggies. Aquatic turtles can live in a tank or pond, in groups, and with larger fish (they’ll eat small fish). Let us find out some of the best turtle foods for your reptilian friend. Lifespan: Turtles live as long as 15 to 25 years Habitat: Turtles live in semi-aquatic environments How do I set up my turtle’s home? If released into the wild, pet turtles can be a danger to local populations of turtles and tortoises. Maintaining a Swank Tank: Why Pet Turtles Need Clean Water, How to Take Care of Turtles and Tortoises, Sulcata Tortoise (African Spurred Tortoise): Species Profile, Respiratory Infections in Turtles and Tortoises, How to Encourage Basking for Your Red-Eared Slider Turtle. Because of the pet-trade, red-eared-sliders are now considered one of the world's 100 most invasive species. There are many records of tortoises that have lived nearly 200 years (or even more). Several types of musk turtles make excellent pets, but the razorback musk turtle is the most popular. https://www.petmd.com/reptile/care/how-long-do-turtles-live Razorback Musk Turtles. While turtles may be fairly low maintenance, every pet comes with its challenges. Choosing a Pet for Life. 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