Tortoise facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tortoises |
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| Aldabra giant tortoise (Geochelone gigantea) from Aldabra atoll in the Seychelles. |
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Testudinoidea
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Testudinidae
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A tortoise is a type of reptile that lives on land. They are part of a group called Testudines, which also includes sea turtles and freshwater turtles. Tortoises are famous for their strong, hard shells that protect them from animals that might try to eat them.
Most tortoises are not very big, but some types that live on islands have grown to be very large over time. The giant tortoisees from the Galápagos Islands are a great example. They are so famous that even Charles Darwin, a famous scientist, studied them. He noticed that the giant tortoises on different islands looked a little different from each other.
Contents
What is a Tortoise?
Tortoises are reptiles, which means they are cold-blooded animals. Their body temperature changes with the temperature around them. They have a special bony shell that is part of their skeleton. This shell acts like a shield, keeping them safe from danger. Unlike sea turtles, tortoises have strong, club-like legs and feet that are good for walking on land.
Where Do Tortoises Live?
Tortoises can be found in many different parts of the world. They live in warm places like deserts, grasslands, and forests. You can find them in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Each type of tortoise is adapted to its specific home. For example, desert tortoises can survive in very dry places, while others prefer more humid environments.
How Long Do Tortoises Live?
Tortoises are known for living a very long time! Many species can live for 50 to 100 years or even more. Some giant tortoises have lived for over 150 years, making them some of the longest-living animals on Earth. Their slow metabolism and protective shells help them to live for so many years.
What Do Tortoises Eat?
Most tortoises are herbivores, which means they eat plants. Their diet usually includes grasses, leaves, flowers, and fruits. Some tortoises might also eat small insects or other tiny animals sometimes, but plants are their main food source. They use their strong jaws to bite and chew their food.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Tortoises lay eggs to have babies. After mating, the female tortoise digs a nest in the ground and lays her eggs there. The number of eggs can vary, but it's usually between 1 and 20. She then covers the nest to keep the eggs safe.
The eggs hatch after a few months, depending on the species and the temperature. Baby tortoises, called hatchlings, are very small when they emerge from their shells. They have soft shells that harden over time as they grow. The hatchlings are on their own from the moment they hatch and must find food and avoid predators.
Famous Tortoises
The Galápagos Islands are home to some of the most famous giant tortoises in the world. These huge tortoises can weigh hundreds of pounds and are a symbol of the islands. Another well-known giant tortoise is the Aldabra giant tortoise, which lives on the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles. These large tortoises play an important role in their ecosystems by grazing and spreading seeds.
Gallery
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A baby Testudo marginata emerges from its shell
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Aldabra Giant Tortoise Geochelone gigantea
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Galápagos tortoise on Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos Islands
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Gigantic galapagos turtle, Chelonoidis nigra on the island of Santa Cruz
Related Pages
Images for kids
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Adult male leopard tortoise, South Africa
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Young African sulcata tortoise
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Baby tortoise feeding on lettuce
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Skeleton of a tortoise
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Fossil of the extinct Ergilemys insolitus
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Bas-relief from Angkor Wat, Cambodia, shows Samudra manthan-Vishnu in the centre, his turtle Avatar Kurma below, asuras and devas to left and right
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Baby tortoise, less than a day old
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Young, 20-year-old Tanzanian leopard tortoise feeding on grass
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22-year-old leopard tortoise
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African spurred tortoise from the Oakland Zoo
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Boy rides a tortoise at a zoo
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Young Testudo hermanni
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See also
In Spanish: Testudínidos para niños
