Turtles are perhaps one of the reptiles that have lived the longest on Earth and, today, they have become very popular among humans, as they are very long-lived and, if you take good care of them and keep them in good condition health, they will possibly be a pet for life. Turtles could spend generations in your family, as they can live up to more than 100 years, being one of the oldest animals in the world.
The age of turtles has always been a lot to talk about, because it is somewhat difficult to find out exactly how many years a turtle lives. To find the age of a turtle, a method similar to that used to count the years of a tree is used, because instead of looking at the rings of the trunk, we look at the lines of its shell. On the other hand, knowing how old a turtle is, although it is not essential to take good care of it, it can help us to know what to feed it or have an approximate of how much it will grow.
How long do turtles live
In general, turtles live between 50 and 100 years, although it is difficult for them to reach a century of life. This is because, in part, a turtle in the wild may live less than one in captivity, since the latter are more protected from the dangers of wildlife.
Wildlife awaits more threats and dangers than life in captivity, which is why certain species are preserved in captivity to protect them. In these cases, these species are in danger of extinction as a result of the pollution of the seas and hunting.
The life expectancy of a turtle in the wild will depend on the opportunities that nature offers it, and that of turtles in captivity will depend on the diet and habitat that are provided, the better cared for, the more likely they will live longer. .
How many years does a sea turtle live?
Knowing the exact time that sea turtles live is difficult to determine, since most live in the wild. Some experts have estimated that their life expectancy is about 100 years. It is estimated that the longest-lived sea turtle in history was 250 years old and came from India.
Some species, such as the famous Galapagos tortoise, still represent a mystery to science, since the fact that they live in isolation makes it difficult to calculate their longevity and life expectancy.
On the other hand, domestic tortoises, which are usually freshwater turtles, usually live between 15 and 20 years, although they could last longer if they lead a healthy life together with a balanced diet and an optimal home for them.
How many years does a tortoise live?
The life expectancy of land turtles is lower than that of sea turtles, they can live from about 50 to 60 years. Some species, like the box turtle, can live up to 100 years. The oldest tortoise in history is estimated to have died at 255 years old.
The longevity of land turtles will depend, as we have said, on the care and feeding that is provided to them, or on the conditions with which they are in their natural habitat.
How to tell the age of a turtle
Knowing the age of a turtle is a task that can give somewhat imprecise results, unless you have seen it hatch or have adopted it since childhood. Despite this, there are a number of aspects you can look at to find out approximately how old a turtle is.
How to tell the age of a turtle by its size
It must be borne in mind that species in captivity grow faster and faster than those found in the wild, since they eat often and in greater quantity. Because they are cold-blooded animals, turtles grow for many years of their lives, since they do not spend energy on so many metabolic processes. For this reason, it is possible to guess the age of a turtle by measuring its size in the following way:
Measure from the end of its head to the tip of its tail.
Find the species of your turtle and compare it with specimens of the same species in adulthood.
Also, look for scientific articles that detail the size of the turtles according to their species and age.
Keep in mind that factors such as the environment and food can influence the size of your turtle.
How to tell the age of a turtle by its shell
Another way to estimate the age of a turtle is by looking at the lines on its shell, much like we would if we were trying to decipher the age of a tree. The lines or rings of the shell represent periods of growth of the turtles, but they do not represent years of age. During periods of good feeding, turtles may experience great growth, while at other periods it may be paralyzed.
There is no exact way to know the age of the turtles, but if we can read their lines or rings, we can get an idea of how old they are. To do so, follow these steps:
Count the lines or circles that form on your turtle's shell.
The thick lines will represent periods when the turtle was well fed. The reverse will be true for thin lines. If the tortoise lives in the wild, the thin lines represent winter and the thick lines represent summer.
Knowing the above, we can count all the lines and divide by 2 to find out how old a turtle is.
Keep in mind that, as the turtle ages, the lines form closer to each other, making them more difficult to count.
Don't count the shields on the shell, count the rings inside it. In some species they are more visible than in others.
In addition to seeing the lines of its shell, it is important to evaluate the health conditions of the turtle and the general conditions of its shell, as some look older than they really are due to having suffered from diseases. If you want to know more exactly the age of your turtle, visit a veterinarian who specializes in turtles, as they will have the necessary experience to guess with greater accuracy.
Knowing the age of the turtles can help you know how long they will grow. In this way, you will know exactly the size of the terrarium that you will have to make so that they can live happily with you.
So all the turtle age declarations on broadcasts were still just estimates in the end?