Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just a quick question for you experts if I may,

Last night, my 14 year old yellow ackie monitor suddenly passed in the middle of the night. I noticed a little bit of odd behavior just last night, but nothing in particular to indicate a respiratory infection. He had been eating normally, and basking normally, temperatures were also fine.

I was wondering if this is extremely odd given the circumstances or does their health deteriorate by 14-15 years old? I'm in such shock right now, I wish I knew exactly why he past. I can't believe how sad I am, I'll miss him.

Would appreciate any information,

thanks.

Sorry for your loss, but, if you had that animal 14 years, then you did a heck of a good job. We have had a few live a little longer, to 16 years or so. But your achievement of 14 years is GREAT.

So if this was not a recent aquisition, and you supported that animal to that age, CONGRATS are in order. You did a great job and what you did was RARE.

Most ackies do not make it anywhere near that long. Cheers

Thank you, I was reading online that they live till 30 so I felt so bad. If I may ask, how long do they normally live to on an average? What is the average life span from your experience?

Thats the problem with internet information. Or scientfic for that matter. Its not in context.

Longevity records are pretty much non sense, as they do not pertain to real life. Or captivity.

Normally reptiles that set longevity records are kept at a minimum metabolic level, they never reach full size. And they almost never had "life events" Of course thats not always the case, just in most cases.

Then you really need to apply real expectations, The small monitors do not live as long as the larger monitors, so do not expect an ackie to live as long as a Komodo dragon.

I would think a very good productive lifespan would be from 10 to 15 years for ackies.

Unfortunately, the actual average is way lower and may not even be one year.

Again realistically, I would think you should be happy if your ackie reached 7 years or more. And have it include life events, like social behavior and reproduction, etc.

A lizard in a cage all by itself, cannot really be called a life. Its exsistance. I am not saying you have to breed them, even if that is their lifes goal. They just need to do something active. Congrats on your 14 years, that is an achievement.

Thank you so much FR, that makes me feel a lot better.

I am sorry to hear that he passed away.
It does sound as though he had a long and full life, though.

Thank you very much, I appreciate it. Still can't believe he's gone. I took out his enclosure for now, the room feels different.

Your room feels different because it is different. Get another one, or a Kimberly or sand monitor. The room will still be different, but not empty. Best wishes