Why do many species of turtles and tortoise live so long?

Question

Why do many species of turtles and tortoise live so long?

Answer 1

The longest lived species are the sea turtles, and medium to giant tortoises. Most turtles only live 15-30 years on the average in the wild.

The long-lived species share a few characteristics...

- Low predation. As adults, they have few wild predators

- Slow metabolism. Reptiles in general use 1/2 or less of the calories a mammal uses. They can go weeks without food, do not stress often, and generally just do not ever really raise their pulse or blood pressure.

- Diet. Most of these species eat simple diets, high in fiber, low in fats, salts, sugars, grains, etc.- very similar to the diets the experts often tell us to follow for longevity.

- Lifestyle. Tortoises live simple lives driven by sun, temperature, food, and mating- and little else. They don't fight a lot, the avoid conflict and crowding, they often deal with roadblocks by taking a nap.  

Answer 2

hmm... good question

there bodies probally produce a chemical that keeps them alive

scientists should use that to keep humans alive

Answer 3

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 whereas most animals reach a point where we stop growing and eventually start breaking down. Their body does not need much energy to survive and they don't put a lot of wear and tear on themselves.