Kingdom : Animalia Class : Reptilia Family : Testudinidae Scientific Name : Geochelone Elegans Size : 6 - 120cm (2.4 - 47in) Weight : 0.1 - 300kg (0.2 - 66lbs) Top Speed : 0.5 km/h (0.3mph) Life Span : 30 - 150 years Colour : Grey, Brown, Black, Yellow, Green Skin Type : Scales Special Features : Slow movement and hard, protective body shell
- Tortoises are land dwelling reptiles closely related to sea turtles.
- They are found mostly in the warmer countries of the southern hemisphere.
- Their hard shell protects them from their predators.
- The tortoise retracts its limbs into the hard shell for protection.
- Depending on the species, they vary in color and diet and their shell ranges from a few cm to 2m in size.
- Most species of tortoise are diurnal, but a few only go out during dawn and dusk in very hot climate.
- Most of the tortoise species are herbivores feeding on grass, weeds, flowers, leafy greens and fruits.
- They have their natural predators in Foxes, Badgers and coyotes.
- Their lifespan is quite similar that of humans, but the Giant Tortoise is known to live for 150 years.
- The female tortoise lays around 10 eggs in nesting burrows which hatch after 2-4 months.
- Oddly the female tortoise leaves the nesting burrow after laying the eggs.
- Only a few of the baby tortoise survive as they are extremely vulnerable to predators.
- Some smaller species of tortoise are kept as pets in households, they need to have the same diet as in the wild.
- Most species of tortoise, especially in the northern hemisphere hibernate during winters.
- Interestingly, the tortoise needs to be empty stomach before hibernating and tend to starve before hibernating.
- Tortoise has been extremely popular for their slow speed. They reach a top speed of 0.5 kmph.