Painted turtles live for 15 to 20 years as pets, and 20 to 40 years in the wild. The discrepancy is due to poor care when kept as pets. Poor dieting, lack of space, and irregular cleaning are among the reasons why painted turtles live shorter lives in captivity.
Do you know how long a painted turtle can live?
Turtles are fascinating creatures and make interesting pets, but it’s essential to be aware of how long they can live so you can decide whether or not to bring one into your home.
In this article, we will explore the average lifespan of a painted turtle in both captivity and the wild and some factors that influence their life expectancy.
How Long Do Painted Turtles Live?
The lifespan of a painted turtle varies depending on whether it is wild or captive. In the wild, they can live anywhere from 20 to 40 years. The average lifespan is around 30 years. In captivity, they live for about 15 to 20 years.
For many captive-kept species, the captive lifespan is longer than the wild due to factors such as competition, predators, diseases, and a lack of food or shelter.
Captive animals are safe from all these things and typically have a much easier life.
The opposite is true for painted turtles (and many other turtle species). While they are without the pressures and risks of the wild, they commonly receive poor care when kept as pets.

How Long Do Painted Turtles Live in The Wild?
Painted turtles have an average lifespan of 30 years in the wild. They can reach the age of 40+ years.
Painted turtles in the wild can live for a very long time if they avoid predators and disease.
The oldest recorded painted turtle was 48 years old. This amazing lifespan is rare, though; most individuals live 20–30 years.
A range of factors[1] affects their potential lifespan:
- Predation
- Disease
- Habitat loss
- Human interaction
Related: How Long Do Red-Eared Sliders Live?
Predation
Predation is a significant threat to wild painted turtles. Their eggs are a favorite food of many animals[2], and hatchlings are vulnerable to being eaten by small and medium-sized animals:
- fish
- birds
- mammals
- snakes
As they grow older and larger, they become less of a target for predators but are still be eaten by several larger animals:
- alligators
- large snakes
- humans

Disease
Disease also plays a role in the wild lifespan of painted turtles. They can contract diseases from other turtles, contaminated water, or food. Some of these diseases are deadly, while others can shorten their lifespan.
Wild painted turtles congregate in large groups around basking sites and feeding grounds, which increases their exposure to diseases.
Habitat Loss
Habitat loss is another factor that affects wild painted turtles. As humans encroach on their natural habitat, they lose places to live and find food.
This pressure encourages turtles to search for more space, putting them at risk of predation and getting hit by a car.
Loss of space also increases competition between turtles, causing more aggression-related injuries.

Human Interaction
The main threat to wild painted turtles is from humans. They are often killed on roads, and developments destroy their habitats[3]. Pollution is also a problem, as it contaminates their food and water sources.
Humans can introduce new diseases to turtle populations or disturb their habitat so much that it becomes uninhabitable.
Since painted turtles are popular pets, some people seek them out in their natural environment and poach them to sell as pets.
How Long Do Painted Turtles Live as Pets?
Pet-painted turtles have an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years. Well-cared-for turtles can live up to 40 years. Painted turtles kept as pets typically do not live as long as those in the wild as they receive poor care.
Pet turtles rarely receive the care they need. This leads to reduced life spans compared to their wild counterparts.
For example, many people do not know that turtles need UVB light to help them absorb calcium. This can lead to problems like shell deformities and metabolic bone disease.
Painted turtles also need a large tank or pond that is diverse and dynamic. Since they have limited space, this habitat needs to be well kept and cleaned regularly.
If you are thinking of getting a painted turtle as a pet, make sure you do your research first. They require specific care to live a long and healthy life.

Nutrition
One of the most important things you can do to ensure a long lifespan for your pet painted turtle is to give them proper nutrition.
A well-balanced diet for a painted turtle includes the following:
- Leafy greens
- Insects
- Commercial turtle food
Painted turtles in captivity should be fed a variety of foods to ensure they get all the nutrients they need. A good rule of thumb is to offer them food that is 50% vegetables and 50% animal protein (for an adult).
You can feed your turtle fresh or frozen vegetables and commercial turtle pellets. Be sure to avoid foods high in fat, salt, or sugar.
Environment
Turtles need UVB light to help them absorb calcium. This is especially important for young turtles, as they grow rapidly and need all the nutrients they can get.
Turtles also need a large tank or pond that is at least 10 gallons to every inch of their length. A 4-inch baby needs at least 40 gallons, while a 10-inch adult needs a minimum of 100 gallons.
The water should be filtered and changed regularly, and there should be a basking area for the turtle to dry off.
The basking area should have a UVB light and a heat lamp to provide the proper temperature range for your turtle. The water temperature should be around 75°F, and the basking area should be between 85 and 90°F

Activity
Another important factor in determining the lifespan of a pet painted turtle is exercise.
Turtles are naturally active animals, and they need to be able to move around to stay healthy. A good way to provide exercise for your turtle is to create an outdoor enclosure where they can bask in the sun and swim.
If you have a small tank or indoor enclosure, you can still provide exercise for your turtle by offering them toys to play with or a place to climb.
High activity levels not only provide physical stimulation for your turtle but also keeps them mentally enriched, reducing stress and boosting their immune system.
Most Common Cause of Death for Painted Turtles
The most common cause of death for captive painted turtles is malnutrition, followed by poor environment and lack of activity. Wild painted turtles are most likely to die from predation.
While painted turtles can live an extremely long time, old age is not a common cause of death. In the wild and in captivity, painted turtles encounter many risks that can potentially end their lives.
In the wild, painted turtles are most vulnerable to death by predation. They share their ecosystem with many animals who see them as a source of food.
In captivity, the most common cause of death is malnutrition. This is often due to a lack of knowledge about their nutritional needs or an unwillingness to provide the proper care.
As ectotherms, they use their environment to thermoregulate and power their metabolism. In a poor environment with the wrong temperature or lacking in UVB, a painted turtle cannot function correctly. Knowledge of these environmental parameters is essential for turtle owners.

How Can You Tell How Old a Painted Turtle is?
You can tell the age of a painted turtle by counting the rings on their scutes or comparing their length to a growth chart.
Scute Rings
The easiest way to tell the age of a painted turtle is by looking at the growth rings on its scutes. Scutes are the segments of the shell that are bound together.
Each scute forms rings as it sheds the upper layer. Each ring forms during a feast or famine period. These feast and famine periods most often correlate to summer and winter, so two rings equate to one year.
Count the rings on one scute and divide the number by two for an approximate age of a painted turtle.
Be aware that other periods of food consumption can affect the ring growth, which is common in captivity.
Growth Chart
Another way to tell the age of a painted turtle is by measuring its length and comparing it to a growth chart.
Painted turtles grow quickly when they are young, but their growth slows as they reach adulthood.
A baby-painted turtle will grow to 2 inches in its first year and an inch per year thereafter.
Age (years) | Size (inches) |
0–1 | 1–3 |
1–4 | 3–5 |
5–8 | 6–9 |
Conclusion
The lifespan of a painted turtle varies depending on several factors, such as where they live and how active they are. In the wild, they can live for up to 50 years, while in captivity, that number drops to around 10-15 years.
To determine the age of a turtle, you can either count the rings on their scutes or compare their length to a growth chart. You can help your painted turtle live a long and healthy life with proper care and attention.