Here are 5 interesting facts about tortoises:
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All Tortoises are Turtles, But Not All Turtles are Tortoises: Tortoises are a specific family of turtles (Testudinidae) adapted to living primarily on land. While all tortoises are turtles, not all turtles are tortoises, as turtles encompass a much broader group including sea turtles and freshwater turtles.
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Tortoises are Ancient: Tortoises have been around for a very long time! They've existed for over 200 million years, meaning they shared the Earth with dinosaurs.
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They Can Live a Very Long Time: Tortoises are known for their longevity. Some species can live well over 100 years, with the oldest recorded tortoise reaching an estimated age of 180+ years.
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Their Shells are Complex: A tortoise's shell isn't just a protective covering. It's actually part of their skeleton, fused to their ribs and spine. The scales on a tortoise's shell are called scutes, and they grow in layers, similar to tree rings, though they are not reliable indicators of age.
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A Group of Tortoises is Called a Creep: While you might call a group of lions a pride, a group of tortoises is known as a "creep."
