Tortoises
ExploreReptiles
Tortoises
Testudinidae
Tortoises are slow-moving reptiles with hard shells that protect them. They can live for a very long time and enjoy munching on plants and veggies.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Tortoise has a distinctive, high-domed shell that can be various shades of brown, green, or black, providing strong protection. Its thick, club-like legs end in stumpy feet, unlike the flatter shells and webbed feet of aquatic turtles.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassTestudinesOrderTestudinesFamilyTestudinidae
Category
ReptilesRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
A group of tortoises is playfully called a 'creep'!
Some tortoises can survive for an entire year without food or water in harsh conditions!
Their protective shell is actually made of 60 bones fused together, connected to their spine!
They don't have external ears but can feel vibrations in the ground through their shell and skull!
Special abilities
Ability
Shell Shield
Tortoises has a sturdy, dome-shaped shell that helps them retreat entirely inside for ultimate protection from predators.
Ability
Desert Drinker
Tortoises can store water in their large bladders, which helps them survive long periods without drinking in dry environments.
Ability
Earth Burrower
Tortoises can dig deep burrows using their strong limbs, which helps them escape extreme heat, cold, or danger underground.
Ability
Slow Metabolism
Tortoises has an incredibly slow metabolism that helps them live for over a hundred years, making them very long-lived.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 10-120 cm
- Weight
- 0.1-400 kg
- Lifespan
- 30-190 years
- Top Speed
- 0.3 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 1-30
- Incubation
- 60-300 days
Diet & Feeding
Tortoises are herbivores, mostly munching on leaves, grasses, fruits, and colorful flowers.
Primary Foods
- Grasses
- Leaves
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Cacti
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Golden Eagle
Aquila chrysaetos
Eats eggs and hatchlings of some tortoise species.
eaten by
Coyote
Canis latrans
Preys on tortoise eggs and young hatchlings in its range.
eaten by
Nile Monitor
Varanus niloticus
Consumes tortoise eggs and small juveniles.
eats
Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon
A common food source for many grazing tortoise species.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Ancient Lineage
This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Armored
Armored describes animals protected by a hard, external covering or shell for defense.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Endangered
Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
Also known as
Land Turtle
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always watch tortoises from a distance and never try to pick them up without help.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Tortoises?
10-120 cm
How much does Tortoises weigh?
0.1-400 kg
How long does Tortoises live?
30-190 years
How fast can Tortoises move?
0.3 km/h
What does Tortoises eat?
Tortoises are herbivores, mostly munching on leaves, grasses, fruits, and colorful flowers.
Where is Tortoises usually found?
Grasslands
How does Tortoises hunt?
Foraging
How many eggs does Tortoises lay?
1-30
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
