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Tortoises are cold-blooded, or ectothermic, animals with high-domed shells, or carapaces. The only species with a flat shell is the pancake tortoise, Malachochersus tornieri. Like most turtles, they can retract their heads and necks into their shells for protection. They hold the distinction of being the only vertebrates whose pectoral and pelvic girdles are located within their ribcages, and they are the only vertebrates with shells.

Their shells consist of 59 to 61 bones that are covered by plates called scutes. The pronunciation of “scute” is the same as “scoot.” Scutes also form segments, creating distinct patterns on tortoises’ shells. The shell’s underside is called the plastron, and the two halves are connected by a bridge. Tortoiseshells are made up mostly of keratin, and tortoises can sense pain through their shells just as people can sense pain through their fingernails.

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Most tortoise species mate throughout the year. To initiate the mating process, the male tortoise rams the female tortoise’s shell with his shell and may nip at her legs. Copulation is tricky because of the convex shells at play, but the male balances himself precariously to make it happen.

Female tortoises use their hind limbs to dig nests. They lay their eggs at night and cover the clutch with soil, sand, and organic material. Incubation averages 100 to 160 days and the eggs are left unattended. Fully formed hatchlings use egg teeth to break out of the ping-pong-ball-sized eggs and then dig their way to the surface. They are hatched with an embryonic egg sac that provides nutrition for the first three to seven days. Baby tortoises make their way to their mother’s burrow, where she protects them for about 80 days before they are on their own.

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Human activity poses the greatest threat to tortoises around the world. In particular, tortoises are hunted for their oil and meat. Their habitats are often cleared for agriculture and other developments. In many parts of the world where they live, the introduction of non-native animals, including rats, pigs, and goats, negatively impacts their populations. Tortoises have no natural predators, so the introduction of non-native species can be very detrimental.

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All tortoises are reclusive creatures with placid behavior. They are known for moving very slowly; the average speed of a tortoise is estimated at about 0.2 to 0.5 kilometers per hour. Since they lack ears, tortoises rely less on hearing and more on vision and smell.

As cold-blooded animals, tortoises typically bask for one to two hours after dawn to absorb heat for the day. They then spend several hours foraging for food. They tend to travel early in the morning and late in the afternoon, and they take dust baths to keep pests at bay. Tortoises rarely make any sound except during copulation or in aggressive situations.

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Indian Star Tortoise – Known by the scientific name Geochelone elegans, the Indian star tortoise is found in India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. This species grows to an average size of about 10 inches long, and it features a very convex shell. The Indian star tortoise is listed as endangered by the IUCN, and its primary threat is the exotic pet trade.

Leopard Tortoise – This tortoise, known by the scientific name Stigmochelys pardalis, is found across the savannas of east and south Africa – roughly from the southern Cape to Sudan. The only member of its genus, the leopard turtle thrives in grassland habitats, including in arid and savanna regions. The fourth-largest tortoise species, this animal grows to an average length of 16 inches and an average weight of 29 pounds and is mostly yellow in color. Unlike many other large tortoises, the leopard tortoise is not endangered.

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In some parts of the world, the term “tortoise” is used interchangeably with the term “turtle.” However, the consensus generally is that tortoise refers to a turtle that lives exclusively on land. These animals are reptiles; therefore, they belong to the class Reptilia. They are furthered classified into the order Testudines and the family Testudinidae. From there, there are approximately 49 species spanning more than 15 genera. The term Testudines is derived from the Latin word for tortoise. The pronunciation of tortoise is confusing. The proper pronunciation is “tore” followed by “tuss.”

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baby tortoises are very similar to those of adults. Baby tortoises are reptiles and can not regulate their own temperatures. While adults can withstand much higher temperatures, young tortoises are vulnerable to temperature changes. They need to be able to move to the shade if they get too hot.

Tortoise babies also need access to water. While it is true that they get water from many of the foods they eat, a baby tortoise will do better if it can drink some fresh water. But remember, tortoises don’t like to swim.

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Tortoises live in a variety of habitats, from deserts to wet tropical forests. Most tortoises are vegetarians and eat foliage, flowers, and fruits; some tortoise species from moist forest habitats are more opportunistic and consume animal matter. Young tortoises in Galapagos National Park, Galapagos Island, Ecuador.

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Supplement greens with smaller quantities of broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, and carrots, apples, apricots, grapes, melons, peaches, and strawberries are all things that turtles eat because they are vegetarian.

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Tortoises are very long-lived animals.  Like turtles, tortoises rely on their shell to protect their vital organs.  With proper care, a baby tortoise for sale can live a very long time.  Some species of tortoise can live to over 200 years old, like the Aldabra tortoise for sale.

Desert species, like the leopard tortoise or African Sulcata tortoise for sale live at least 100 years.  Other species, like the Testudo tortoise family, which includes Russian tortoise for sale, Greek tortoise, Egyptian tortoise and more live anywhere from 75-125 years of age.

Forest species, like the Red footed tortoise for sale, yellow foot tortoise and Burmese black tortoise for sale.  These guys live around 60-90 years but 100 years of age is not heard up.