Small pet tortoises (Russian, Hermann's, Greek) usually live 50–100 years, sulcatas 50–80, and giant Galápagos and Aldabra tortoises over 100. Pet turtles are shorter-lived: red-eared sliders 15–30 years, box turtles 20–50. The oldest known tortoise, Jonathan, is about 194.
Estimates only. Tortoises and turtles age at very different speeds by species and care. See a reptile vet for health concerns.
How long do tortoises live?
How long do tortoises live? Longer than almost any other pet, but the answer depends on the species. PetMD's vet-reviewed guide says some tortoises are estimated to live 100–150 years, and that most turtle and tortoise species "can live well into their 50s" with good care. Small pet tortoises such as Russian, Hermann's and Greek tortoises commonly live 50–100 years. Giant Galápagos and Aldabra tortoises regularly pass 100. Pet turtles are usually shorter-lived, at around 15–50 years.
Pick a species above to see its typical lifespan. Add your pet's age to see roughly how many years remain on average, how much of the lifespan it has used and its age in human years, calculated the same way as our tortoise years to human years calculator.
Tortoise and turtle lifespan by species
| Species | Type | Adult size | Lifespan as a pet | Lifespan in the wild |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sulcata (African spurred) tortoise | Tortoise | males about 30 in (76 cm); females about 20 in (51 cm) | 50–80 yrs | Not well known |
| Russian (Horsfield's) tortoise | Tortoise | 5–10 in (13–25 cm); females larger | 50–100 yrs | Not well known |
| Hermann's tortoise | Tortoise | 4.7–9 in (12–23 cm) | 70–100 yrs | Not well known |
| Greek (spur-thighed) tortoise | Tortoise | up to about 7–9 in (19–23 cm); females larger | 50–100 yrs | Not well known |
| Leopard tortoise | Tortoise | 16–18 in (40–50 cm) | 50–100 yrs | Not well known |
| Red-footed tortoise | Tortoise | males up to 13.5 in (34 cm); females about 11 in (28.5 cm) | 25–50 yrs | Not well known |
| Desert tortoise | Tortoise | 9–15 in (23–38 cm) | 50–80 yrs | 35–40 yrs |
| Galápagos giant tortoise | Tortoise | shell 4–5 ft (1.2–1.5 m) | 100–150 yrs | 100–150 yrs |
| Aldabra giant tortoise | Tortoise | males 4 ft (1.22 m); females 3 ft (91 cm) | 100–150 yrs | Not well known |
| Box turtle | Turtle | 4–6 in (10–15 cm) | 20–50 yrs | Not well known |
| Red-eared slider | Turtle | males about 5.3–7.2 in (13.5–18.4 cm); females about 7.4–9 in (19–23 cm) | 15–30 yrs | 20–30 yrs |
| Painted turtle | Turtle | 4.5–8 in (11–20 cm), occasionally 10 in | 25–50 yrs | 30–40 yrs |
Pet lifespans are mainly PetMD's vet-reviewed figures. The sulcata figure is from the IUCN species account; the desert tortoise, Galápagos and Aldabra figures are from the Los Angeles Zoo, Philadelphia Zoo and Smithsonian's National Zoo. Wild lifespans are shown only where a source gives one. Sizes are adult shell lengths from zoo, university and government sources.
How long do pet tortoises live?
Most sources agree that a well-kept pet usually outlives its wild relatives. PetMD explains that wild tortoises and turtles must find their own food, avoid predators and do without veterinary care. The desert tortoise shows the gap clearly: the Los Angeles Zoo gives 35–40 years in the wild but 50–80 in human care. Good care is the key word, though. PetMD lists vitamin A and calcium deficiencies, abscesses, parasites, infections, shell damage and overgrown beaks as common reasons pet chelonians die young, and most of them trace back to diet, lighting and housing.
How long do small tortoises live?
People are often surprised that small tortoises are just as long-lived as big ones. The three most popular small species are all 50–100-year pets:
| Species | Adult size | Lifespan as a pet | Hibernates? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Russian (Horsfield's) tortoise | 5–10 in (13–25 cm); females larger | 50–100 yrs | Yes (see below) |
| Hermann's tortoise | 4.7–9 in (12–23 cm) | 70–100 yrs | Yes (see below) |
| Greek (spur-thighed) tortoise | up to about 7–9 in (19–23 cm); females larger | 50–100 yrs | Yes (see below) |
- How long do Horsfield tortoises live? The Russian or Horsfield's tortoise lives 50–100 years according to PetMD's lifespan table, and its species profile says they often live more than 40 years. They're 5–10 inches long, with females larger (Wikipedia).
- Hermann's tortoise: PetMD gives 70–100 years. Adults are 120–230 mm long and weigh 2–2.5 kg (Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan).
- Greek (spur-thighed) tortoise: PetMD lists 100 years or more, and Mediterranean tortoises in general at 50–100; AnAge records one that lived 127 years. It's a different species from the African spurred tortoise. See the naming note on our sulcata tortoise lifespan page.
How long do desert tortoises live?
The Los Angeles Zoo says desert tortoises live 35–40 years in the wild and 50–80 years in human care. They grow to 9–15 inches and 8–15 pounds and spend cold months in brumation (winter dormancy) in burrows. They mature slowly, at around 15–20 years, according to the Bureau of Land Management. The BLM lists the Mojave desert tortoise as a threatened species. Keeping one is regulated in the US, so check the rules in your state before taking one in.
How long do giant tortoises live?
The giants are the record holders:
- How long do Galápagos tortoises live? The Philadelphia Zoo says Galápagos tortoises live "over 100 years, possibly up to 200", and that zoo lifespans match the wild. San Diego Zoo's tortoise Speed lived to an estimated 150. Gramma, San Diego Zoo's oldest resident, died in November 2025 at about 141 (CBS News). AnAge records a captive Galápagos tortoise of 177 years. They mature at about 20–25 years, and males reach up to 573 lb (San Diego Zoo).
- Aldabra giant tortoise: the Smithsonian's National Zoo says they can live more than 100 years, some over 150, and notes that they "have outlived the scientists who were studying them". AnAge records 152 years in captivity. Males reach 4 feet and up to 550 lb.
- Jonathan: a Seychelles giant tortoise, a subspecies of the Aldabra tortoise, living on the island of St Helena. He was already "fully mature", meaning at least 50, when he arrived in 1882, so his hatch year is estimated at around 1832. That makes him about 194 in 2026. Guinness World Records named him the oldest tortoise ever in 2022, passing Tu'i Malila, who died in Tonga in 1966 aged 189.
People searching "how long do Galápagos turtles live" mean these animals too. Galápagos tortoises are tortoises, land-living members of the turtle order.
How long do turtles live? Turtles vs tortoises
All tortoises are turtles, but in everyday use "turtle" means the aquatic and semi-aquatic species. PetMD's table shows they usually live shorter lives: red-eared sliders 15–30 years, box turtles 20–50 and painted turtles 25–50. Pet aquatic turtles "commonly live 20–30 years", though many live longer. Larger species generally outlive smaller ones. For sliders, including shell size by age, see our red-eared slider lifespan calculator. Some turtles are still remarkably long-lived: AnAge records a wild eastern box turtle of 138 years and a wild painted turtle of 61.
How long do tortoises hibernate for?
Only some species hibernate, and it is one of the riskiest parts of the year for a pet tortoise. This is general information only. Always have a reptile vet check your tortoise before hibernating it.
- Species that hibernate: Mediterranean species such as Hermann's and Greek (spur-thighed) tortoises (Tortoise Trust). Wild Russian tortoises hibernate for about 8 weeks to 5 months (Wikipedia). Desert tortoises brumate in burrows (Los Angeles Zoo), and box and painted turtles overwinter in the wild (Smithsonian; Missouri Department of Conservation).
- Species that must not hibernate: sulcata, leopard and hingeback tortoises (Tortoise Trust), and tropical species such as red-footed tortoises (PetMD).
- How long: the Tortoise Trust recommends a minimum of 8–10 weeks for small tortoises and no more than 16 weeks even for very large animals, at a temperature kept as close as possible to 5°C. Below freezing is fatal, and long spells above 10°C burn through the tortoise's energy reserves.
- Preparation: a pre-hibernation fast of about 2 weeks (under 1 kg) to a month (2–3 kg), and a health check. The Tortoise Trust says never to hibernate a tortoise that is underweight, ill or recently ill, or one you have only just acquired.
- Vets differ: PetMD takes a cautious view. It says there is no need for captive Russian tortoises to hibernate and that tortoises are more susceptible to infection during hibernation. Ask a reptile vet what's right for your tortoise.
Helping your tortoise live longer
- Get the species right, since diet, heat, humidity and hibernation needs all depend on it.
- Provide UVB lighting or natural sunlight; chelonians need it to make vitamin D3 and use calcium (Arborview Animal Hospital).
- Give room to roam and dig, and keep water clean.
- Book a reptile-vet check every 6–12 months, and weigh your tortoise regularly (Arborview).
Frequently asked questions
How long do tortoises live?
It depends on the species. Small pet tortoises such as Russian, Hermann's and Greek tortoises commonly live 50–100 years (PetMD), sulcatas 50–80 (IUCN), and giant Galápagos and Aldabra tortoises over 100.
How long can a tortoise live?
The oldest known is Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise on St Helena, estimated to have hatched around 1832, which makes him about 194. Guinness World Records calls him the oldest tortoise ever.
How long do turtles live?
Pet turtles usually live 15–50 years: red-eared sliders 15–30, box turtles 20–50 and painted turtles 25–50 (PetMD). Aquatic turtles commonly live 20–30 years as pets.
How long do pet tortoises live?
Most commonly kept pet tortoises live 50–100 years with good care, which is usually longer than in the wild (PetMD). Red-footed tortoises are shorter-lived, at 25–50 years.
How long do Horsfield tortoises live?
Russian (Horsfield's) tortoises live 50–100 years according to PetMD's lifespan table, and often more than 40 years according to its species profile.
How long do desert tortoises live?
Typically 35–40 years in the wild and 50–80 years in human care (Los Angeles Zoo).
How long do small tortoises live?
Small species live about as long as larger pet tortoises: Russian tortoises 50–100 years, Hermann's 70–100 and Greek tortoises 100+ (PetMD).
How long do giant tortoises live?
Galápagos tortoises live over 100 years, possibly up to 200 (Philadelphia Zoo), and Aldabra tortoises more than 100, some over 150 (Smithsonian).
How long do Galápagos turtles live?
Galápagos tortoises, sometimes called Galápagos turtles, live over 100 years. The longest captive record in the AnAge database is 177 years.
How old do Galápagos tortoises live to?
Well past 100. San Diego Zoo's Speed lived to an estimated 150, and its tortoise Gramma died in 2025 at about 141.
How long do tortoises hibernate for?
The Tortoise Trust recommends 8–10 weeks minimum for small tortoises and no more than 16 weeks for very large ones, at close to 5°C. Only hibernating species should hibernate, and only after a reptile-vet health check.
Do all tortoises hibernate?
No. Sulcata, leopard and hingeback tortoises should not be hibernated (Tortoise Trust), and tropical species such as red-footed tortoises don't hibernate (PetMD).
This calculator gives an estimate for education and fun. Every pet ages differently — for health decisions, talk to your veterinarian.