How Long Do Sea Turtles Live? Lifespans by Species
Uses a voice your browser identifies as local. Starts only when you press Read.
Sea turtles can live for decades, but their exact lifespans remain uncertain. A lifespan estimate is not an age guarantee for every hatchling.
What the estimates say
| Species | Lifespan information | Female maturity estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Green | About 70 years or more | 25–35 years |
| Loggerhead | Roughly 70–80 years or more | About 35 years |
| Leatherback | Around 45–50 years or more, with considerable uncertainty | 9–20 years |
These are NOAA's broad estimates, not exact birth-to-death records for every population. NOAA's loggerhead quick facts say 70 or more years, while its reproduction section describes 80 or more. Green turtle, loggerhead, and leatherback profiles.
Maturity means becoming able to reproduce. It is different from lifespan: a turtle that first nests at about 35 has not necessarily reached the end of its life.
How scientists investigate age
One method examines growth layers in bones recovered from dead stranded turtles. Researchers can combine those layers with chemical measurements to investigate earlier diets and habitats. This is laboratory research, not a way to read a living turtle's birthday from its shell. NOAA research on turtle bones.
Make a careful timeline
Draw a timeline with separate marks for hatching, estimated maturity and possible longevity. Use a shaded band for a range rather than a single exact point. Label your diagram estimates vary and keep the source beside it.
We have not filled the other species with guessed numbers. The species hub is a starting point for comparing their biology. Read why survival to adulthood is a separate question before treating a long lifespan as a typical hatchling's outcome.
🐢 Quick quiz
Get all three right and earn 🥚 10 eggs.
How should we describe sea turtle lifespan numbers?
What does maturity mean in this article?
What can researchers examine when studying age?