Geckos

how old are geckos


How Old Are Geckos?

Geckos are an interesting group of animals that often inquisitive minds ask about. Though exact lifespans are hard to determine for wild geckos, there are some major factors that can help us deduce a pretty solid estimate of their average lifespan.

Wild Gecko Lifespans

Wild geckos, depending on the species and environmental conditions, generally live between 2-7 years. Some species have been known to live longer, with the longest living species the Madagascan Giant Day Gecko living up to 20 years in captivity.

Captive Gecko Lifespans

Geckos kept in captivity tend to live much longer than those in the wild. This is because of the more regulated environment, better access to food and medical care. When kept in optimum conditions, geckos can live between 10-20 years.

Factors Affecting Gecko Lifespan

The exact lifespan of any given gecko can vary greatly from the average due to some major factors. These include:

  • Species: Different species of geckos can have vastly different lifespans. Some live much shorter lives than others.
  • Environment: Wild geckos that live in harsher climates such as deserts tend to live shorter lifespans than those in milder climates.
  • Diet: Geckos that are fed a nutritionally balanced diet more readily have higher lifespans than those in the wild.
  • Quality of Care: Geckos that are kept in ideal conditions, given the proper nutrition, and are consistently monitored by a knowledgeable veterinarian tend to live much longer than wild geckos.

Overall, wild geckos generally live between 2-7 years while those kept in captivity live between 10-20. Though wild geckos’ lifespans are largely dictated by their environment and availability of food, looking after captive geckos means you can increase their potential lifespan significantly.

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