Wandering_Scholar6 t1_jdhleio wrote on March 24, 2023 at 1:32 PM

Reply to comment by hangryhyax in A 90-year-old tortoise named Mr. Pickles just became a father of 3. It's a big 'dill' by Two-in-the-Belfry

Is that the average or median or the average of those that live past 1 years or so?

Turtles and tortoises often have low survival rates for the first several years then, if they survive past the cut-off age, they mostly live to be really old. But that can really skew the math on lifespan.

But also yes, if they are thriving past their lifespan in captivity that's a good sign that they can be kept well in captivity.

It can actually become a problem in Zoos because at some point many of your animals are geriatric (because good care and medical attention). Geriatric animals require more care and may not necessarily be the best exhibit animals.

hangryhyax t1_jdkxrhl wrote on March 25, 2023 at 3:35 AM

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Institute website just says they “can live 40 to 50 years,” so I don’t have answers to your questions, unfortunately.