Other Turtle Discussion

Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 1:28 am **How old does a healthy turtle live for**

Hi, i was just wanting to know how long a RES Lives for.

Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 11:05 am

They easily live past 20 years in captivity.

Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 1:08 pm

I read somewhere (can't remember where, but I followed a bunch of links through Wikipedia and their external links) that a study found that sea turtles' internal organs showed no signs of age. That is, a 100 year old turtle had organs that could not be differentiated from a ten year old turtle's. The scientists (or doctors?) in that article hypothesized that sea turtles only died because of disease and predation, and expressed interest in studying turtles for a longevity gene. I do not know if the same applies to RES, but it was a very interesting read.

Captive RES in good conditions can usually live from 20-60 years.

Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 9:36 pm

Dang! I didn't know they lived that long! I thought 15 years maybe 25 tops! This dang turtle better not live longer than me!

Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 9:41 pm

I would think that their immune systems are the only thing that weakens after awhile, which is probably why most don't live to old age.

Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 3:17 am

wow i thought 30-45 years tops .. that amazing !

Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 9:18 am

There have been several turtles whose long lives have been documented. The following two are mind-blowing: Harriet, a Galápagos tortoise estimated to have lived for 175 years, and Tu'i Malila, a radiated tortoise estimated to have lived for 188 years.

Red-eared sliders don't live quite long, but they can still astonish. Herman, my RES, will be 34 this November.

Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 7:00 pm

My husband and I made provision in our wills for Spot's care in case he outlives us - which he very well may.

Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 8:33 pm

Welcome, Markbeemsterboer. I'd love to see a pic of your 34-year-old RES (please post it in a new thread).

Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 8:02 am

marisa wrote:Welcome, Markbeemsterboer. I'd love to see a pic of your 34-year-old RES (please post it in a new thread).

Thanks! I'm actually a long time forum reader. I was locked out of my account for months due to some error with the subSilver scheme, so I eventually made a new account.

I don't post often, so it was no big thang.

Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 10:25 am

34 years old!?! I would *love* to see photos and hear details about how you have cared for him for so long!! (New thread, of course.)

Awesome!

Other Turtle Discussion :: How old does a healthy turtle live for

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