Hello,
We have all read about the longest living tortoises of different species. However, there is little information available which can be considered authentic with regard to average life expectancy of tortoises. Interestingly, information is available mostly is only on one particular animal of that species which may not depict the true picture. I am listing a few famous tortoises for the purpose of this discussion:
1) Adwaita (A. Gigantea) - 255 years - unverified (about 130 years - verified)
2) Harriet (Galapagos) - 175 years
3) Tu'i' Malila (Geochelone Radiata) - 188 years
4) Timothy (Testudo graeca) - 160 years
5) Jonathan (Seychelles giant tortoise) - 186 years (alive)
6) Lonesome George (Chelonoidis abingdonii) - 101 years
On bare reading of the above examples, no two tortoises of one species appear (atleast in data available). I request the experts here to shed some light on whether this means that the above were exceptions and on an average, animals of their respective species do not live around their age of atleast close to their ages. Also, if there is any research available wherein lifespans of more than one animal of a particular species have been examined.
Thank you.
We have all read about the longest living tortoises of different species. However, there is little information available which can be considered authentic with regard to average life expectancy of tortoises. Interestingly, information is available mostly is only on one particular animal of that species which may not depict the true picture. I am listing a few famous tortoises for the purpose of this discussion:
1) Adwaita (A. Gigantea) - 255 years - unverified (about 130 years - verified)
2) Harriet (Galapagos) - 175 years
3) Tu'i' Malila (Geochelone Radiata) - 188 years
4) Timothy (Testudo graeca) - 160 years
5) Jonathan (Seychelles giant tortoise) - 186 years (alive)
6) Lonesome George (Chelonoidis abingdonii) - 101 years
On bare reading of the above examples, no two tortoises of one species appear (atleast in data available). I request the experts here to shed some light on whether this means that the above were exceptions and on an average, animals of their respective species do not live around their age of atleast close to their ages. Also, if there is any research available wherein lifespans of more than one animal of a particular species have been examined.
Thank you.