Landtortoes

Landtortoes, or land tortoises, are terrestrial reptiles in the family Testudinidae, within the order Testudines. They are distinguished from aquatic turtles by their robust, domed shells and heavy, columnar limbs. Most species are herbivorous, feeding on grasses, leaves, and fruit, though some opportunistically consume animal matter.

Geographic range spans Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Mediterranean regions. Land tortoises occupy diverse habitats, from savannas and deserts to woodlands and scrublands. Body size varies; many species are small to medium, while island giants can exceed a meter in length.

Reproduction is oviparous. Females lay eggs in nests; incubation periods and the resulting sex ratio are often influenced by nest temperature, a common form of temperature-dependent sex determination in turtles.

Ecology and lifespan: Land tortoises are important herbivores and, in some ecosystems, seed dispersers. They have long lifespans, with many individuals surpassing several decades and some living a century or more in captivity.

Conservation: Habitat loss, hunting, collection for the pet trade, and introduced predators threaten many species. They are protected under national laws and international agreements; several taxa are listed as Vulnerable to Critically Endangered by the IUCN.

Taxonomy: The family Testudinidae comprises numerous genera, including Gopherus (North American tortoises), Chelonoidis (South American and Caribbean), Geochelone and Centrochelys (Old World), and Testudo (Mediterranean and European species).