Exceptional longevity of a male Madeira rock lizard Teira dugesii maintained in captivity for 41 years

Abstract

M reptiles in captivity can give clues about their longevity. As expected, longevities in captivity have increased with the development of better care and husbandry; the first reports on reptiles life spans achieved in zoological gardens (Flower, 1925) are shorter than those reported in more recent studies (Bannert, 1998; Slavens & Slavens, 1999; Mendyk, 2014b). Herein, we recount the remarkably 41 year lifespan of a captive male Teira dugesii (Milne-Edwards, 1829).