Box Turtle Lifespan: Provide adequate care to box turtle as once they hit the maturity age the chance of death does not increase. An outdoor pet turtle may get eaten or harassed by other pets and wildlife. Bad turtle care in the past mean that many pet turtles died prematurely. How Health Affects Your Box Turtle’s Life Expectancy. Several common species of If released into the wild, pet turtles can be a danger to local populations of turtles and tortoises. Please do research and heavily consider your decision when getting a pet turtle. Turtles and tortoises need about 10 gallons of tank space for every inch of shell. Sea turtles typically live between 30 and 50 years, and some anecdotal record show that they could live up to 150 years. 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. Some species of tortoises can live 100 years or more. Several types of musk turtles make excellent pets, but the razorback musk turtle is the most popular. If you're hoping to know your turtle's potential lifespan, first identify the species of your turtle. Be aware of the typical diseases that threaten your specific species of turtle. For example, a typical pet turtle can live between 10 and 80 years or so while larger species can easily live over 100 years. Let us find out some of the best turtle foods for your reptilian friend. Almost all of these dates are estimates that can’t really be confirmed. 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. 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. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Be sure your pet can't escape from the habitat by burrowing under the fencing. 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? The smaller species that are more common as pets are shorter-lived but still may survive several decades. CaringPets strives to provide pet owners with care information that is backed by research and covers best practices among industry experts. Learn how to create a happy, healthy home for your pet. Turtle diets can vary widely depending on the species. Choosing a Pet for Life. Dr. Saint-Erne is is part of The Spruce Pets' veterinary review board. Their average lifespan is 50 years but some may live for 100 years. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Your turtle's lifespan depends on its species, its diet and other aspects of its environment that you can control. The short answer to that question, a really long time. 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. Whether they are land turtles (box, tortoise, etc.) It should have a screened lid and a filter. 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). Domestic goldfish may only live a couple of years, but goldfish in a garden pond will probably live over a decade. Adwaita, an Aldabra giant tortoise, is probably the longest-living tortoise on record. Kayla Fratt is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant. Their cousins, the wild carp, generally live twice as long. Pets That Live Longer Than Five Years. UVB lighting: this should be placed above the basking dock (turtles WILL get sick without this) The specific care of different turtles varies. Some species, like the softshell turtle, eat mostly fish and meat. Dr. Nick Saint-Erne has worked in veterinary hospitals treating a variety of animals, including zoo animals and exotic pets for over 35 years. Aquarium. 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. The proper temperature is also important for keeping your turtle happy and healthy. Captivity sounds good for snapping turtles as people misunderstand them as low-maintenance pets. A diet isn’t the only component of a healthy turtle. These guys are strong swimmers and need an aquarium that’s at least 55 gallons in volume. Some species of tortoises can live 100 years or more. And today, that means some people still underestimate healthy box turtle life expectancy. A lot of people ask how old their pet turtles or tortoises will live for. She's worked as a professional animal trainer in private, shelter, and remote settings since 2012. The second most important thing you should be aware of is the commitment you make when you buy a snapping turtle. Be sure that your turtle is well-cared-for with regular vet visits. 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. Their growth and depends on food, water, illness. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Share this on Your Blog Keep wild animals away that could expose your pet to diseases. All turtles have the potential to enjoy a very long lifespan that can span several decades if cared for properly. (No, seriously.). On average, pet turtles live 20 years or more. 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. In the Wild They can save themselves from any attack by simply hiding and closing their shell. 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. Exhibit A: Tina Turtle. These turtles are light tan in color and their shells, as their name suggests, feature a ridge along the top. What are the common diseases snapping turtles suffer from? These are not ordinary pet turtles you can get in pet stores. They need room. Read on to learn about the most common types of pet turtles so you can decide which one is right for you. Other species, like the red-eared slider, eat a mix of insects, fish, and veggies. Here is a list of pets that live longer than what most people think. These dates haven’t been verified. Turtles are one of the most adorable pets to care for and keep in your aquarium. Mud turtles generally live for about 30 years but can live to be 50 with the right care. ... Pet turtles have been popular for a long time. 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. This will help you know how to prevent them or catch the symptoms early. https://www.petmd.com/reptile/care/how-long-do-turtles-live It’s hard to verify these claims because the tortoises obviously outlived their owners. 10 Types of Pet Turtles Baby red-eared sliders were readily available and inexpensive many years ago, which unfortunately resulted in a lot of neglected turtles. 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. or water turtles - they require a lot of room, and a lot of care. Razorback Musk Turtles. Abscesses, shell infections, respiratory infections, and parasites are all relatively common in pet turtles. The Life Span of a Turtle Compared to Other Animals. 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