Tortoise refers to any reptilian vertebrate that exists only on land. They belong to the Testudinidae family. Tortoises are also popularly known as land turtles and can be found in almost every continent except for Australia and Antarctica.
There are around 50 species of tortoise in more than 15 genera. In addition, they vary in color, size, and other features. Most of them live only in the wild, however, some tortoises are kept as pets.
Although a lot of these species are endangered, nevertheless, efforts have been made to ensure that there is an increase in their population. It is expected that tortoises can live between 80 to 150 years. That is why it is not surprising that they are considered as the longest-living land animals on earth.
5 Interesting Facts About Tortoise
- Persistent – Tortoises are just like any other turtle; they move very slowly. When they are on dry islands, tortoises would lick dew off on rocks.
- Survivors – They can survive for a long period of time without any food or water. On giant ships, tortoises are often used as a source of fresh meat, especially during long journeys.
- Widespread – Tortoises can be found almost everywhere, from southern South America to southern North America, on some Pacific Islands, in Madagascar, through sub-Saharan Africa, across the Mediterranean, and from southeast Asia to Eurasia. These species are widely distributed.
- Long Living Animals – An Aldabra giant tortoise, Adwaita, has allegedly lived for 255 years. Additionally, there are still several tortoises out there that have been living for more than 150 years.
- Ancient – It is believed that tortoises have existed about 220 million years ago.
What Is the Scientific Name of Tortoise?
Sometimes the word “turtle” is used interchangeably with the word “tortoise” and vice versa. But typically, tortoise is the term used for a turtle that thrives mainly on land. Since they are considered as reptiles, they are classified as class Reptilia.
Furthermore, tortoises belong to the family Testudinidae and in the order Testudines. There are about 49 species that spread through more than 15 genera. The Latin word for tortoise is Testudines. The pronunciation of the word tortoise can be a bit complicated. It is pronounced as “tore” then “tuss.” Tortoises vary greatly in color, size, and other features.
The smallest tortoises, which belong to the genus Homopus, have a length of between 4 to 6 inches and commonly live in southern Africa. On the other hand, the largest tortoises, which belong to the genus Geochelone, measure over 3.3 feet long.
The Evolution of Tortoises
It was about 260 million years ago when tortoises evolved, particularly in South Africa. It all started with a small reptile known as Eunotosaurus africanus. This odd-looking little lizard had the resemblance of modern-day turtles with backward curving ribs that had the shape of a dome.
Later, around 40 million years, another reptile known as Odontochelys semitestacea also evolved, particularly, in the oceans of China. Interestingly, there is one trait that is common among the Odontochelys and modern turtles – the bottom shell.
Allegedly, these turtle ancestors have started to develop lower shells as a defense from the attacks of sharks and other predators from underneath the surface of the water. The “beast turtle”, also known as Proganochelys, thrived among dinosaurs and was equipped with armor both below and above.
Aside from its protective shell, these ancient turtles also come with tail spikes, leg spikes, and neck spikes. Just like their modern counterparts, these species have a toothless mouth and a bony shell. Ultimately, these three ancient tortoise ancestors have evolved into the tortoise, sea turtle, and terrapin that we know today.
The Appearance of Tortoises
Tortoises are known to have high-domed shells and are cold-blooded. The Malachochersus tornieri, or the pancake tortoise is the only species that has a flat shell. Just like any other turtles, they can pull back their necks and heads into their shells for covering. Tortoises are the only vertebrates that have shells.
Additionally, they are highly distinguished as the only vertebrates having pelvic girdles and pectorals within the ribcages. The shells of tortoises are comprised of 59 to 61 bones and all of them are protected by plates known as scutes. The scutes of tortoises are divided into segments, forming unique patterns on their shells.
A bridge connects the plastron or the shell’s underside and the two halves. The shells of tortoises are mostly composed of keratin. In addition, tortoises can feel pain through their shells, which is just the same as when humans feel pain through their fingernails.
Tortoises lack teeth. And although they have a toothless jaw, tortoises possess a horny beak which can be used for breaking up food. All tortoises have the same hind-limb anatomy, which is comprised of the hind feet, hind limbs, and elephantine.
All hind feet and forefeet of this species are composed of two or fewer phalanges. Most tortoises have sexual dimorphism, which means that all males and females have unique features. The simplest way of identifying the gender of a tortoise is to examine its tail. The tails of the female tortoises are smaller and tend to drop straight down. While the tails of the males are longer and are usually pulled up.
The Behavior of Tortoises
Generally, tortoises are considered diurnal animals, which means that they sleep at night and are awake during the day. Nevertheless, most species are known to be crepuscular, which means that they are mostly alert during the twilight hours.
Keep in mind that tortoises tend to be reclusive and gentle. Tortoises are best known for their slow movements, with an average speed of around 0.2 to 0.5 kilometers per hour.
Since tortoises do not have any ears, they rely mostly on smell and vision, rather than on hearing. Tortoises are cold-blooded animals; hence it is required that they should bask for at least one to two hours so they will be able to absorb the heat during daytime.
They spend a lot of time grazing for food. Usually, tortoises will start their journey in the early morning or late afternoon. Also, they take baths to keep the pests away. It is seldom that we hear tortoises making any sound except when they are in aggressive circumstances or during copulation.
The Habitat of Tortoises
Tortoises exist on all continents except for Antarctica and Australia. These species are spread across Madagascar, the Mediterranean, sub-Saharan Africa, southeast Asia, Eurasia, and a few Pacific Islands. Typically, they prefer to live in places with semi-arid climates, however, they can also be found everywhere from tropical rainforests to deserts. Furthermore, tortoises also thrive in mountainous terrain or at sea level.
What Do Tortoises Eat?
Tortoises can eat almost anything, from plants, fruits, vegetables, and even fungi. Most species are herbivores, relying primarily on fruits, flowers, and foliage. However, a few species that are found in forest environments consume small amounts of animal matter when necessary.
Kapidolo Farms provides different food and diet items for your tortoises. We even offer organic foods as well as variety packs. For more information, you may call us at 215-483-7675 or email us at kapidolofarms@gmail.com
