When are we going to buy a pet, not the least is the question of how much time we spend with our favorite.Lifespan turtles today is considered to be the longest, in some individuals it reaches the period of 150 years or more.In recent years become a very popular hobby to keep them at home.
Features turtles
Their appearance is so peculiar that these reptiles can not be confused with anyone.From other animals, they are distinguished by the shell, which serves as a shield located on the upper part of the body.The carapace is a bone covered with horny plates.
body of a turtle shell merged with and is integral with the entire skeletal system.The carapace is provided with holes through which the animal can easily manage to drag their limbs.Its shape and structural composition can be different and in many ways determined the turtle habitats.For example, marine reptiles have a flat shell, while fellow land it is thicker and has a convex shape.
How many live turtles?
The question of how much of longevity turtle gets particularly acute at the enthusiasm of fans factory house exotic pets.The obvious answer is: it depends on the proper care of reptiles.
Today worldwide there are about 300 species of turtles, while in Russia meets all 7. Pets of any kind are very tenacious and hardy.They have a good immune system, helping to overcome many of the infection and promote rapid healing of injuries.
These cute reptile absolutely picky eating can be quite a long time without food, with a good feeling.
Lifetime turtles of different species differ from each other.For example, the case when the turtle named Marion has an age of 152 years and still live.Under favorable conditions, it is fully capable to hold on to 200 and even 300 years.So long live the giant tortoises that live on the Galapagos Islands.Turtles large size found centenarians among this class of animals.Obviously, this is due to slow metabolism occurring.Most species of turtles are aged 20-30 years.The popular view of krasnouhih, for example, is home to 30 years in creating an enabling environment.
Why do turtles live so long?
This animal is able to do for a long time not only without food, but without water.There are cases where turtles do without eating food for a long time, measured a few years.This surprising fact their behavior was recorded a long time ago.Turtles all his life moved very slowly, I have wrinkled skin.For these reasons, age-related changes and the aging of them it is very difficult to notice.The same applies to the internal organs.
Scientists have been looking for the answer, on which depends the survival of turtles by studying their genetic characteristics.Natural death overtakes these reptiles are very rare.The cause of death is increasingly becoming a disease or death from predators and humans.
Excluding these cases, the life of the turtles would have lasted much longer.They have another amazing feature - manage the heartbeat: stop it for a while, then restarted.During cardiac arrest, the turtle stops and does not move.
Turtles - centenarians planet
Studies have shown that these reptiles inhabit the earth more than two hundred million years.There is a suspicion that they have mastered the earth before the dinosaurs.For a long time the tortoise does not changed, though evolutionary changes have not touched them.
This did not happen with any animal on the planet.This quality to adapt to any external conditions and explain such a long life of turtles.
Lifetime pet turtles
Age of wild turtles could exceed under favorable conditions, the human life span by several times.
If you consider longevity reptile house, there is more modest figures.Still, compared with other pets, such as cats and dogs, they live much longer.
Popular types of turtles in the home have the following life expectancy:
- Krasnouhov - 30 years;
- European pond - 20-25 years;
- Central Asian - 20-30 years.
When looking at these figures conclusion that factory house the turtle, we must be prepared to live with it a significant part of their lives and provide this wonderful silent inhabitant decent care and attention.
Dimensions tortoises
on the size of the land reptiles largely affect its appearance.The largest land individual is ivory.Dimensions turtles sometimes reaching 1.8 meters, and weight - 300 kg.Keep this giant house impossible.
Tortoises, which are recommended for the maintenance of the house, usually have a length of about 40 centimeters.This is due to a small area of the dwelling and limited home turtles.If she lives in a spacious place, do not hesitate to movement, is developing much more active.If the turtle when it reaches a certain size slowing in growth, so she became close to the cage and, accordingly, it is difficult to move around.To a reptile grew much larger than its relatives, it is necessary to ensure its spacious abode.
Turtles biggest sizes, living in the marine environment are huge reptiles, they are called leathery.The name they received because of the shell, consisting of small-sized plate of bones connected to each other, but separated from the skeleton.Because of the structure of the turtle is unable to drag and hide your head inside.
length reptile reaches two and a half meters, and weight - about six kilograms.They are the inhabitants of all the southern warm sea.Despite the fact that there are such a lot of turtles in the world, to see them can be extremely rare.
Due caution leathery marine creatures swim close to the shore and out of the sea only at night, when the land is less than the dangers.
main delicacy of these turtles are mollusks, and small fish, crustaceans, jellyfish, scallops.Meat themselves reptiles this type is quite suitable for food, despite the fact that there are cases of poisoning by toxins contained therein.For turtles toxins that enter the body with food, they are not dangerous, but for a man such meat is dangerous.
Among the inhabitants of large marine reptiles and are considered to be the so-called green.They also are called soups.Habitat of these animals - the tropics and subtropics of the world's oceans.In size they reach a length of one and a half meters, and weighs close to two hundred kilograms.There are few individuals who have the weight of half a ton, and the length is two meters.
red-eared sliders - ideal for those who have not previously domesticated reptiles
This pet quite hardy and can adapt to different habitats.Yet from owner needed the money and time to maintain such a friend in good health.In general, red-eared sliders brings great cohabitation with a man, even though his timidity in the wild.From food domesticated reptiles prefer a special diet.The life cycle of this exotic animal from 50 to 70 years.
If you are seriously engaged in finding a pet with whom want to live side by side, long and happy life - the best one, of course, will be buying tortoises.
