Tortoise (disambiguation) facts for kids

Tortoise is a word that can mean a few different things! Most often, it refers to a type of reptile with a hard shell. But it can also be used for other things, like a special kind of tank or a military strategy.

What is a Tortoise?

A tortoise is a fascinating reptile known for its strong, dome-shaped shell. Unlike turtles, which often live in water, tortoises are land animals. They are found in many parts of the world, from deserts to forests.

Tortoise Features

Tortoises have thick, sturdy legs and feet, which help them walk on land. Their shells are part of their skeleton and grow with them. This shell acts like a built-in shield, protecting them from predators. Some tortoises can even pull their heads and legs completely inside their shells when they feel threatened.

What Tortoises Eat

Most tortoises are herbivores, meaning they eat plants. Their diet usually includes grasses, leaves, flowers, and fruits. They spend a lot of time slowly munching on their food.

Tortoise Life Cycle

Tortoises can live for a very long time, much longer than most other animals. Some species can live for over 100 years! Female tortoises lay eggs in nests they dig in the ground. After a few months, the baby tortoises hatch and begin their slow journey through life.

Tortoise (Tank)

The Tortoise was also the name of a very heavy British tank designed during World War II. Its official name was the A39 Heavy Assault Tank.

A Tank Built for Strength

This tank was built to be incredibly strong and heavily armored. It was designed to break through enemy defenses and withstand powerful attacks. The Tortoise tank had a very thick front armor, making it hard for enemy shells to penetrate.

Why the Tortoise Tank Was Unique

Unlike most tanks, the Tortoise had a fixed gun, meaning its main cannon was built directly into the front of the tank and couldn't rotate in a turret. This made it more like a mobile fortress than a traditional tank. Only a few of these massive tanks were ever built, and they didn't see much action in the war.

Tortoise Formation

The tortoise formation is an ancient military tactic used by soldiers, especially by the Romans. It was a way for soldiers to protect themselves from arrows and other projectiles.

How the Formation Worked

In a tortoise formation, soldiers would stand close together in a rectangle. They would then raise their shields above their heads and on their sides, creating a protective shell around the group. This made them look a bit like a giant tortoise with its shell.

Why It Was Used

This formation was very effective for approaching enemy walls or defending against a hail of arrows. It allowed soldiers to advance safely, even under heavy attack, by creating a moving, armored box.

Tortoise (Band)

Tortoise is also the name of an American band formed in Chicago in 1990. They are known for their unique style of music called post-rock.

Their Music Style

The band Tortoise creates instrumental music, meaning it doesn't usually have singing. Their songs often combine different sounds and rhythms from various music genres, like jazz, electronic music, and rock. They are known for their complex and interesting musical arrangements.

Images for kids

• Tortoise-formation.jpg

  Roman soldiers using the tortoise formation.

Also see

• Hare (disambiguation), for Tortoise and Hare stories