The Less-Common Type Of Pet That Has The Longest Lifespan By Far

Imagine being able to have the same pet in your home for decades. If you're lucky, you might have the opportunity to enjoy two decades with a dog or cat, but this is rare; most pet parents only get one decade with their canine or feline companion, if that. Dogs and cats snag the top two spots as the most-popular pets in the United States, but they don't live very long. However, when comparing the average lifespans of popular pets, tortoises top the charts. Many tortoise species can live up to 100 years or more, placing them among the longest-living pets.

Outliving and saying goodbye to a beloved pet is never easy, and the grief can last for weeks, months, or even longer. If you want to share the rest of your life with the same pet — one that could very well outlive you — a tortoise could be a great option. Just like with dogs, the lifespan of these reptiles varies by size. Small dogs, such as those that weight under 10 pounds, tend to live longer than larger ones, but the opposite is true for tortoises, with larger tortoises tending to outlive smaller ones.

There are an estimated 49 known tortoise species in the world, and they're found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica (brr!). Due to their size, some species are more popular than others as family pets. You can find small ones under 5 inches long, like the Egyptian species. Others can grow to be 3 feet long and weigh more than 140 pounds, like the sulcata, also known as the African spurred tortoise, which is actually one of the most unusual pets owned by celebrities (Leonardo DiCaprio in this case). Regardless of size, however, many tortoises can surpass 80 years of age, even in the wild.

Leopard and Greek tortoises are among the species that live the longest — 100 years or longer — followed by the Hermann's tortoise and Egyptian tortoise. These latter species can live for 70 to 100 years. Some sulcata tortoises have surpassed 100 years, but on average, they live for 30 to 50 years. The Russian and Mediterranean species typically reach 50 years of age, and many even see their 100th birthdays. The red-footed species has one of the shortest lifespans among tortoises at 25 to 50 years.

However, as with any other pet, habitat, enclosure, and diet play big roles in a pet tortoise's lifespan and quality of life. With improper care, a tortoise's life could be cut short. So, do your research on the species you're considering to ensure you can provide the long-term care it'll need to live a long life.