Tortoises and Turtles
About
Tortoises and turtles are reptiles that sport a shell that protects them from predators. The word “tortoise” is often used to describe animals that stay on land, while “turtle” applies to animals that make their home in water, but these terms are not used the same way in every part of the world. Whatever you call them, these amazing reptiles typically lead a solitary life, eating mostly vegetation and small animals and using scent to communicate with other individuals and fend off predators. They come in a wide range of sizes and live in many different habitats around the world.
Baby tortoises and turtles hatch from eggs laid by females. Depending on the species, it can take many months for the eggs to hatch, and then the babies are on their own! Some tortoises and turtles can live very long lives, up to 100 years or more!
Conservation
Many tortoises and turtles are threatened with extinction because too many of them were collected for food, medicine or the pet trade. Habitat loss or fragmentation in certain parts of the world also has caused the populations of some species to shrink dramatically. Always do your research before adopting a new pet to make sure you can meet its needs for the entirety of its life, and make sure it doesn’t harm wild populations.
WHERE ARE THEY AT THE ZOO?
Meet the Tortoises and Turtles
Live in dry grasslands of Myanmar. Size: 1 foot long and weigh 7 pounds. IUCN Red List status: Critically Endangered due to overharvesting
Live in freshwater habitats of Australia. Size: 9 inches long and weigh 1–2 pounds. IUCN Red List status: Not Evaluated
Live in dry habitats in coastal Libya, Egypt and Israel. Size: 4 inches long and weigh 1 pound. IUCN Red List status: Critically Endangered due to habitat loss and the pet trade
Live in dry grasslands of eastern and southern Africa. Size: Up to 2 feet long and weigh 40 pounds or more. IUCN Red List status: Least Concern
Live in dry, sandy habitats in Madagascar. Size: 5 inches long and weigh 1 pound. IUCN Red List status: Critically Endangered due to poaching and habitat loss
Live in dry woodlands in Madagascar. Size: 14 inches long and weigh 23 pounds or more. IUCN Red List status: Critically Endangered due to poaching and habitat loss
Live in arid rocky outcrops in East Africa. Size: 6 inches long and weigh 1 pound. IUCN Red List status: Critically Endangered due to the pet trade and habitat loss