[Turtle Girl]

They're a neat idea for a novelty, but often they don't last 12 years -- they may get too little or too much sun, can be killed by temperature extremes etc. I worked at a science store that sold them and many died before they even left the store (and we had a really high sales rate so they weren't on the floor for more than a day or two).

[horselover]

I guess it all depends on the environment they're cared for in.

[Turtle Girl]

It does, but there are so many variables -- if they get too badly shaken in transporting them from place to place, your heater stops working on a cold night, etc. they may not survive.