TORTOISE

A tortoise is a land-dwelling reptile in the order Testudines, typically belonging to the family Testudinidae. Tortoises are distinguished from aquatic turtles by their terrestrial habits, stout legs, and non-webbed feet. They possess a domed carapace and a relatively large, shield-like plastron, with a beak-like mouth and scaly skin.

Most species are herbivorous, feeding on grasses, leaves, fruits, and other vegetation, though some will opportunistically consume invertebrates. They are slow movers and regulate body temperature by basking in sunlight, with activity patterns shaped by climate and season.

Tortoises inhabit a wide range of environments, including deserts, savannas, forests, and Mediterranean regions across Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe. Adaptations to arid or seasonal habitats include water storage and, in some species, the ability to withstand extended dry periods.

Reproduction is sexual and oviparous. Females lay eggs in warm, well-drained nests; hatchlings emerge after weeks to months, depending on species and incubation conditions. In some tortoises, incubation temperature influences the sex of offspring.

Lifespan is long, with many tortoises living for decades and some exceeding a century in captivity. Conservation status varies by species; habitat loss, collection for the pet trade, and predation on nests threaten numerous populations. Protected status and breeding programs support vulnerable species.

Humans have long interacted with tortoises, and they are kept as pets in some regions where legal. Responsible care requires appropriate space, a varied diet, and access to warmth and ultraviolet light.