It may seem cute to see that little Turtles basking in the sun on a log in a pond. But the reptile needs the heat to stay alive. Too much heat is also as bad as too little. Maybe the turtle’s ability to live for so many centuries when other animals perished is because of its outstanding life span. A turtle can live to 100 years old if the conditions are right! Old temples have been discovered in Africa with snakes carved into the walls, giving pythons a sacred quality over the many years of its existence. But the boas have been known to live over forty years at a time in zoos! Anacondas have been feared in South America for a long time. Any snake that can grow to over 35 feet deserves a wide berth!