Do you think reptiles show their age?

[LISA127]

Generally I'd say no. But the reason I'm asking is this. I have a blue tongued skink lizard whose exact age I do not know. What I do know is that he is at least 15 years old. I've noticed him "slowing down" this year. He still eats well and he is still bright eyed and healthy looking. But he has definetely slowed down. In the past he has always gotten that restlessness in the springtime which he did not this year. He gets fed twice a week and pretty much that is the only time he really comes out now. That was never unusual in the winter months, but it is unusual for the summer. So I was wondering if anyone believes that they slow down in old age? I will say that this has been one of the hottest summers on record here, so the house has been closed up with the a/c on everyday. The one and only day this summer where it was cool enough to turn it off and open the windows he was out more.

[snake man12]

I would imagine lizards would slow with age.
I don't think snakes slow down considerably because the biggest snakes are always the oldest snakes and to get that old they must be able track,catch, and eat food. But that might just apply to wild snakes.

[StudentoReptile]

I think they do. You definitely see it in animals you interact with everyday.

Sometimes, its a gradual decline in activity. In some individuals, they can be going on all 4 cylinders and then suddenly, a little too much strenuous activity pushes them over the edge. Kinda like us, lol....we'll be lifting something heavy and trying to jog, and our back smarts..."Ouch! Whelp...guess I'm not as young as I used to be!"

[CDN_Blood]

Yep, they sure do show their age. When lizards get old, they do behave differently, and when the end is near you'll know it and it will happen fairly quickly. It starts with a noticeable decrease in activity and appetite, which can drag on for a while, but then one day you'll notice it just stops moving, it'll have a totally different look in it's eyes and won't eat at all. From there it's usually only a couple of days until it's time runs out. It's sad to see, but thankfully it's faster than seeing an aged snake as it's time approaches - that can drag out for months and months :(

[LISA127]

Well, that's just sad....:(

The only thing I've noticed is a decrease in activity. He still has an appetite and as I said, he still looks bright eyed and alert when he does come out.

[CDN_Blood]

Yeah, it's wrenching to witness, but death is part of life and you just have to celebrate the time you *did* get to spend together after they're gone. I hope you have lots of pictures so you can stroll down memory lane from time to time if it happens. Those images can bring back such fond memories and they'll prove priceless to you as time goes by ;)

[Jlassiter]

I have a 30 year old Ruthvens kngsnake with now dimpled scales and cataracts.....they definitely show their age....

[LISA127]

I have a 30 year old Ruthvens kngsnake with now dimpled scales and cataracts.....they definitely show their age....

Wow, what is their normal lifespan?

[MoreliAddict]

Al Cortiz has a really old saw scale viper that can barely move. So yes.

[Jlassiter]

Wow, what is their normal lifespan?

Everyone says it is around 20 years.
This guy was found in Mexico in 1983 as an adult by The late Lloyd Lemke......

He loves to eat but needs assistance finding the prey.....and sometimes a little assistance when shedding.....

But he needs no help breeding...lol
He actually bred successfully 2 years ago.......

That is why I always wonder why I see ads for old, wore out, retired breeders.....these animals live to reproduce and they will until they die....

And....I have numerous teenage and 20+ year olds still going strong....