tortoise
The ‘desert tortoise’ is the state reptile of California and Nevada; and the ‘gopher tortoise’ is the state reptile of Georgia, USA.
smallest tortoise
Tortoises are one of the slow-moving animals in the world – the slowest of all tortoises moves at a speed of 0.5 miles per hour!
Tortoises are one of the longest lived animals in the world – an individual with the lifespan of 255 years!
Tortoises vary greatly in size and weight – from the smallest being 3 inches in length and 142 grams in weight to the largest being 6 feet in length and 355 Kg. in weight.
Tortoises have short, pointed tails which are usually tucked under their carapace.
largest tortoise
Tortoises have different bright and beautiful coloured patterns (design) on the carapace, depending on the species!
Tortoises have two skeletons: endoskeleton and exoskeleton. The two skeletons are attached on the back so that, unlike other shell-bearing animals, tortoises cannot get out of their carapace; however, they can draw back their head, legs and tail into the protection of the shells when attacked by enemies or predators!
tortoise’s tail
Tortoises, along with the ‘turtles’, have been hunted for their meat and the shell (carapace) for thousands of years!
The tortoise carapaces have been used for decoration purposes – masks, table clocks, art items, frames for eye-glasses, etc., since ages!
Tortoises have been mentioned in several scriptures and mythologies of ancient civilisations – being depicted as the symbol of patience, strength, etc.
colourful carapace
In Greek mythology, goddess Venus used tortoise, and in Hindu mythology, the Supreme God, Lord Vishnu, took the form of a tortoise to save the world from sinking into the great ocean!
The old fable ‘The Hare and the Tortoise’, giving us the moral “slow and steady wins the race”, has been a popular story for hundreds of years!!
In recent years, tortoises have been used in entertainment parks and zoos; and in several popular cartoons, animated films and video games.
(hare and tortoise fable)
1. tortoise (noun) = a person that moves slowly
2. the hare and the tortoise = a pair of characters in a fable (= moral story) in which the slow and steady one ( the tortoise) gains advantage (wins) over its faster but proud, over-confident opponent (the hare)
3. to set the tortoise to catch the hare = to try to do something impossible
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