How long does a turtle live? Discover more long-lived species
On World Turtle Day, celebrated on May 23, CNN Brasil brings a series of interesting facts about chelonians, a category that includes sea turtles, tortoises and tortoises, which are widely recognized as some of the longest-lived animals in the world.
According to NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), the life expectancy of turtles varies between species, but many can live between 50 and 100 years, with record holders approaching 200 years of life.
Turtle in Guinnes and veterans of nature
The greatest symbol of longevity on Earth among turtles is Jonathan, a giant tortoise who lives on the island of Saint Helena. In 2022, it was officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest living land animal and the oldest chelonian of all time.
Jonathan would have been born around 1832, which means that he experienced landmark events for humanity, such as man's first step on the Moon. Experts indicate that he could be up to 200 years old, as there are no exact records of the animal's birth.
Before Jonathan, the record was held by Tu'i Malila, a rayed turtle who lived at least 188 years. She was gifted to the royal family of Tonga by the explorer Captain James Cook, around 1777 and died only in 1965.
Another important case of vitality is that of Mommy, a Galapagos tortoise resident at the Philadelphia Zoo. In 2025, she became a mother for the first time at the age of 100, when she gave birth to four puppies. This fact demonstrates the reproductive capacity of turtles.
Sea turtles also have long lives, although documenting their exact age is complex for scholars. Their lifespan can vary between 50 and 100 years, something comparable to human records.
The green turtle, for example, has an estimated life expectancy of 70 years or more.
Secrets for long life
The longevity of turtles is explained by a series of factors that combine cellular efficiency, the immune system and a slow biological rhythm.
According to professors at USP (University of São Paulo), in the text "Turtles live longer due to genetic characteristics and an efficient immune system" published in the university newspaper, the animals have genetic characteristics that make them less susceptible to the degenerative effects of time.
According to the publication, in chelonians, the process of apoptosis (cell death) is more efficient and less prone to errors than in other animals. Turtles have a mechanism that quickly eliminates cells close to death and maintains an active pool of living cells that regenerate.
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Animals also have a large amount of proteins called perforin and granzyme, produced by cells of the innate immune system known as "natural killer cells". These cells are responsible for eliminating tumor cells, which makes chelonians less susceptible to cancer and infectious diseases common in elderly organisms.
As they are cold-blooded animals, they consume less energy to maintain their body temperature. Calmer metabolism results in less wear and tear on cells over time.
In addition, turtles take a long time to reach sexual maturity. Many species take decades to reach the reproductive stage. Sea turtles, for example, take between 20 and 30 years to mature, with green turtles taking up to 35 years.
However, even with a high life expectancy, animals face several threats, such as capture in fishing gear, plastic pollution and loss of habitat.
Source: CNN