Tortoises are turtles that live entirely on land, and you can tell them apart by their feet and shells. Instead of flippers or webbed toes, tortoises have sturdy, elephant-like legs for walking, and most have a high, domed shell they can pull into for protection. They are mainly plant eaters and are famous for long lives: the giant Galapagos tortoise can live well over 100 years. Most are poor swimmers that only drink or soak in shallow water.
This category profiles land-dwelling species from the giant Aldabra tortoise to the small Greek and Hermann’s tortoises. Start with our tortoise facts, then read about the oldest tortoise or our pet tortoise guide for care advice.
Scientific Classification & Quick Facts Common name Yellow-footed tortoise Scientific name Chelonoidis denticulatus Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Testudines Family Testudinidae Genus Chelonoidis Conservation status Vulnerable Type Reptile (large tortoise) Diet Omnivore: plants, insects, earthworms and mushrooms Habitat Dry forest, savanna, grassland and rainforest edges Native range Amazon basin, South America Size Usually about 40…
Many people are interested in reading about tortoises. They would like to know more about the facts regarding the various aspects of the life of this reptile. Though biologists have discovered a lot of facts about them, there are still a lot of unknown facts. These facts are bound to astonish you when you get…
Quick answer: Most tortoises are herbivores that eat grasses, weeds, leaves, flowers and some fruit. Good pet foods include dandelion, clover and leafy greens. Tortoises should avoid dairy, meat and processed food, and some species need extra calcium. Most tortoises eat plants: lots of leafy greens, weeds, grasses and flowers, with a little fruit for…
Scientific Classification & Quick Facts Common name Texas tortoise Scientific name Gopherus berlandieri Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Testudines Family Testudinidae Genus Gopherus Conservation status Least Concern Type Reptile (tortoise) Diet Herbs, grasses, prickly pear, snails and insects Habitat Open scrub woods and semi-desert with well-drained soil Native range Southern Texas and northeastern Mexico Special…
Scientific Classification & Quick Facts Common name Spider tortoise Scientific name Pyxis arachnoides Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Testudines Family Testudinidae Genus Pyxis Conservation status Critically Endangered Type Reptile (small tortoise) Diet Tender leaves, grass, roots, insects and animal droppings Habitat Sandy coastal scrub and dry forests with spiny plants Native range Southwest Madagascar Lifespan…
Scientific Classification & Quick Facts Common name Serrated hinge-back tortoise Scientific name Kinixys erosa Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Testudines Family Testudinidae Genus Kinixys Conservation status Data Deficient Type Reptile (tortoise) Diet Omnivore: plants, insects, snails, carrion Habitat Rainforest river banks and marshes, hiding under logs Native range West and Central Africa Size Up to…
Scientific Classification & Quick Facts Common name Red-footed tortoise Scientific name Chelonoidis carbonarius Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Testudines Family Testudinidae Genus Chelonoidis Type Reptile (tortoise) Diet Plants, fruit, flowers, fungi, insects and carrion Habitat Amazon basin forest edges and savannas Size About 30 cm (12 in); some reach 40 cm Lifespan Up to about…
Scientific Classification & Quick Facts Common name Russian tortoise Scientific name Testudo horsfieldii Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Testudines Family Testudinidae Genus Testudo Conservation status Vulnerable Type Reptile (small tortoise) Diet Weeds, flowers and leaves, especially dandelion Habitat Open, dry clay and sand deserts with shrubs Native range Central Asia, from Kazakhstan to Pakistan and…
Scientific Classification & Quick Facts Common name Radiated tortoise Scientific name Astrochelys radiata Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Testudines Family Testudinidae Genus Astrochelys Conservation status Critically Endangered Type Reptile (tortoise) Diet Grasses, vegetables and spineless cactus leaves Habitat Woodlands, thorn forests and dry thorn brush Native range Southern and southwestern Madagascar Size Up to 41…
Scientific Classification & Quick Facts Common name Pinta Island tortoise Scientific name Chelonoidis abingdonii Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Testudines Family Testudinidae Genus Chelonoidis Conservation status Extinct Type Reptile (giant tortoise) Native range Pinta Island, Galapagos, Ecuador Lifespan Last one, Lonesome George, lived about 100 years Special feature Last known one, Lonesome George, died in…
Wish the tortoises could speak! Wish that they could tell us stories of those long-forgotten days when wars would rage where there was no nuclear power when letters were still in fashion. Indeed, there still lives a tortoise whose birth can you can date back to the year 1832. Now that is healthy living! Yes,…
Manouria tortoises are large forest tortoises from Southeast Asia, and they belong to one of the oldest living groups of tortoises. The genus Manouria contains two species: the Asian forest tortoise (also called the Burmese mountain tortoise or Asian giant tortoise) and the smaller impressed tortoise. Unlike most tortoises, they love cool, damp, shady places….