Exotic Animals Charm Page

Tortoises

Tortoises have existed for around 215 million years. Several species tortoises can live to be over a hundred years of age. Tortoises have a hard shell that protects them like a shield, the top domed part of a turtle's shell is called the carapace and the bottom underlying part is called the plastron Tortoises can retract their heads and all their limbs including their tails into their shells when they feel threatened or attacked by predators. Tortoises have good all round vision and a very good sense of smell. They are cold-blooded and they draw heat from their environment and are more active during the day than at night Tortoises are what is known as herbivores, they eat grass, ferns, flowers, tree leaves and fruit. Tortoises hibernate in the winter time and before they do, they starve themselves so their stomachs are empty ready for hibernation.

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