General Care Discussion :: How long can a Red ear slider live??

[Jayqualin]

I know that turtles have long life span but how long can a red ear slider live exactly???

[Ferd]

i know that some can live up to 50 years. ive even heard of one that lived up to 65

[tinkerbell_pg]

wow that is long time

[Ferd]

just because that is the average age, most of my friends have lost theirs before they turn ten since they never really learned how to care for them, and dont plan to. once the next ones kicks off, they get a new one. the longest anyone of them has lived is up to 5 years. im just now starting and plan to keep them alive past 40

[RiverChubbs]

I have heard they live on average between 20-35 years

[Ferd]

the last time that i read that was from a book made in the 70s when turtles were the hip pet. so maybe the times, and life span, may have changed

[industrial_girl_2000]

Well, I have already had Sheba for 17 yrs (and she was 6 inches long when I got her).

Based on some of the previous threads on this website, I assume she is around 20 yrs old already. She doesn't act "old", runs around just as much as when I first got her, has never been sick, and eats like a pig (constantly begging for food). I have a feeling I will have her for many yrs to come.

[RiverChubbs]

Wow bummer..Yeah I am sure if they only die frombeing ol after having the best care possible and no toxins etc...I am sure they can live to be in their 60's but hey I think Sulcata turtles (those huge land tortoise that get over 100 pounds can live to be 180 or so!!! They'd ave to be passed down 3 generations...My mother in laws friend owns some!!! Yikes

[zuse]

I'm not sure about Red Ear Sliders, but I know that some scientists and reptile keepers are starting to think that turtles might not senesce (die of old age). Instead, when they DO die it is because of predation, being hit by a car, or getting some sort of virus. If those don't occur, then they could in theory live for hundreds of years. The more I learn about the study of reptiles I'm shocked about how much still isn't know. Recent analysis of some of the components of saliva in non-poisoness (such as the colubrids) has revealed that they are poisoness. They just don't have an efficient venom delivery system. Iguanas too. I don't understand how they've studied them all these years and just now discovered that?

[marisa]

I've read something similar as well. Two of the main reasons for the demise of turtles (and some other animals) is the destruction of their natural habitats and the introduction of a foreign virus/bacteria they're unequipped to deal with. The pet trade doesn't help either.