Sea turtles generally live long lives, with lifespans typically ranging from about 50 to 100 years depending on the species. Larger species, such as loggerhead and green turtles, mature around 25-35 years and can live up to 70-80 years or more
. Some estimates suggest that sea turtles can live up to 80 years or even longer, with documented cases of individuals living beyond 100 years, though exact ages are difficult to verify
. Smaller species like Kemp’s ridley and olive ridley tend to mature earlier (10-15 years) and live somewhat shorter lives, often a few decades beyond maturity
. Sea turtles take decades to reach sexual maturity (often 20-30 years) and remain reproductively active for about 10-20 years after that
. While popular culture sometimes suggests sea turtles can live as long as 150 years or more, scientific evidence for such extreme longevity is limited and not well documented
. The oldest well-documented sea turtles, like "Big Bertha," a loggerhead, have been estimated to be around 85-90 years old based on genetic studies
. In summary, sea turtles typically live between 50 and 100 years, with some individuals potentially living longer, but precise lifespans vary by species and are challenging to measure accurately due to their long lives and conservation challenges
