Which animal can live up to 200 years old?

Turtles and tortoises have been on planet Earth even before the dinosaurs. They are that old. The difference between a turtle and tortoise is that the turtle stays in water while the tortoise stays on land. But both creatures have one thing in common: they live to a ripe old age, from 120 years to almost 200 years!

They manage to live so long because the important parts of their bodies do not become weak with age, as in the case of humans and birds. In fact, they continue to grow very, very slowly for as long as they live. Their body does not need much energy to survive. They can live for long periods without water or food.

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52 Comments

Lupe Hernandez

I've had my tortoise for almost 30 years and it will most likely out live me. It hibernates for almost 5 to 6 months out of the year so that probably adds to their longevity.

marilynmitri

Their ancient lineage awes me. As a species, they have outlived so many changes in the Earth--the rise and fall of the dinosaurs, the Ice Age, its just incredible. No wonder these creatures look so wise.

Leader PM Imran Khan 🇵🇰

Turtles are so slow That's why there life goes so slow slow slow😴😴😴

Diana Glover Flory

FYI - We were in South Africa a few years ago as my husband was in the oil industry which conducted business with Total Oil. Lions are not in compounds and roam freely there often terrorizing villagers killing men, women and children. Their Government sells licenses to hunt lions to reduce the number. It protects their people which in turn provides the proceeds from license sales go toward feeding their poor. It is understandable when children are out playing and then are torn apart by a lion how Africans do not view them as a nice kitty cat but rather a very dangerous animal. Listening to someone tell how a loves one disappeared and the only thing they ever found were a few remnants of their clothing will change your view of lions. Listening to the African people provided me with a vision of a huge difference between there and here. We think of the majestic big cat we see in zoos but consider how you would feel if one showed up in your neighborhood and killed several children. Welcome to Africa!

Margaret Owen Kreusser

Tortoises moo like bovines in the mating Season. Got to 'hear them in action' in the Galapagos. There are very old ones there. I highly recommend the trip. Blue footed Boobies, and flamingos and albatross and great sea life . Unsullied. No predators.