Tortoises come in a variety of sizes with the largest species the Galapagos tortoise reaching up to 4 feet long and weighing up to 550 pounds. The smallest tortoises are the speckled padlopers of South Africa which only grow to be about 4 inches long.
Most tortoises fall somewhere in between these extremes with adult sizes ranging from 6 to 18 inches long and weights from 6 to 60 pounds. Some of the more common species of tortoises include the red-footed tortoise the gopher tortoise and the popular pet tortoises the Russian tortoise and the Hermann’s tortoise.
While size varies greatly among tortoise species there is one common denominator – tortoises are quite slow! The top speed recorded for a tortoise is about 2.5 miles per hour and most tortoises move at a much slower pace often only reaching speeds of 0.3 miles per hour. So if you’re ever being chased by a tortoise you shouldn’t have too much trouble outrunning it!
How long do tortoises live?
Tortoises can live up to 100 years.
How much does the average tortoise weigh?
The average tortoise weighs about 10 pounds.
What do tortoises eat?
Tortoises are mostly herbivores and eat leaves grass and fruit.
Where do tortoises live?
Tortoises live in warm climates such as deserts and rain forests.
How do tortoises protect themselves?
Tortoises have a hard shell that protects them from predators.
What is the biggest threat to tortoises?
The biggest threat to tortoises is habitat loss.
How many species of tortoises are there?
There are about 50 species of tortoises.
What is the smallest species of tortoise?
The smallest species of tortoise is the Galapagos tortoise.
What is the largest species of tortoise?
The largest species of tortoise is the Aldabra giant tortoise.
How long do tortoises grow?
Tortoises can grow up to 4 feet long.
How do tortoises reproduce?
Tortoises lay eggs which hatch after about 90 days.
How many eggs does a tortoise usually lay?
A tortoise usually lays between 2 and 16 eggs at a time.
What is the temperature that tortoise eggs need to hatch?
Tortoise eggs need a temperature of about 28 degrees Celsius to hatch.
How long does it take for a tortoise to reach full size?
Tortoises can take up to 20 years to reach full size.
Do tortoises ever stop growing?
Tortoises usually stop growing when they reach about 40 years old.
