{"id":55,"date":"2024-08-24T08:53:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-24T14:53:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.texasavian.com\/blog\/?p=55"},"modified":"2025-01-23T10:37:19","modified_gmt":"2025-01-23T16:37:19","slug":"wisdom-in-scales-elderly-reptile-care-101","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.texasavian.com\/blog\/wisdom-in-scales-elderly-reptile-care-101\/","title":{"rendered":"Wisdom in Scales: Elderly Reptile Care 101"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Reptiles have slithered their way into the hearts of American pet owners, particularly among Gen-Zers and Millennials, and this increased appeal of reptiles as pets means that more attention needs to be paid to elderly reptile care. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Texas Avian & Exotic Hospital<\/a>, we know how much your scaly little friends mean to you. In this blog, we\u2019ll help you understand the reptile aging process and how to support the geriatric reptiles in your life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding the Reptile Aging Process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While some species of reptiles<\/a> have a relatively short lifespan, others can live for decades. An Eastern box turtle, for example, can live for 25-50 years in captivity, and a ball python\u2019s average lifespan is 15-20 years. No matter where your pet lands on the lifespan spectrum, at some point, your gecko or iguana will fall into the category of geriatric reptiles and need senior reptile veterinary care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So how do you know when your reptile is entering his or her golden years? Reptiles instinctively try to hide signs of aging to avoid becoming easy prey, but there are physical changes and changes in senior reptile behavior to be on the lookout for, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n