How long does a Galapagos tortoise last?
Typical lifespan
80–177 yr
The largest living tortoise and one of the longest-lived vertebrates.
Harriet, a captive Galapagos tortoise, reached at least 175.
How that compares
Galapagos tortoise against things of a similar time.
Galapagos tortoise 80–177 yr
Fin whale 80–114 yr
Blue whale 70–90 yr
Great white shark 50–73 yr
Saltwater crocodile 65–100 yr
Whale shark 60–130 yr
African elephant 50–70 yr
Asian elephant 48–70 yr
What that means over time
| Period | How many you would buy |
|---|---|
| Per year | 0.01 replacements |
| Over 10 years | 1 of them |
| Over a 30-year mortgage | 1 of them |
Lifespans are medians under ordinary use, not guarantees. Maintenance, how hard it is used, and build quality move individual examples a long way in both directions — which is why the range above is as wide as it is.
More about a Galapagos tortoise
Common questions
- How long does a Galapagos tortoise last?
- A Galapagos tortoise lasts 80–177 yr. Harriet, a captive Galapagos tortoise, reached at least 175.
Related pages
- How much does a Galapagos tortoise weigh? 60–417 kg
- How long does a African elephant last? 50–70 yr
- How long does a giraffe last? 20–28 yr
- How long does a gorilla last? 35–55 yr
- How long does a hippopotamus last? 40–55 yr
- How long does a saltwater crocodile last? 65–100 yr
- How long does a giant panda last? 15–30 yr
- How long does a Asian elephant last? 48–70 yr
- How long does a American alligator last? 35–70 yr
- How long does a American bison last? 15–25 yr
- How long does a Komodo dragon last? 25–35 yr
Sources
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Smithsonian Institution