Tortoises are really unusual creatures. One of the wildest facts about them is that they can live up to 150 years.
They have hard shells to protect them from predators. Some are 5 feet long and can weigh more than 500lbs.
They lay their eggs in the ground and it can take the babies a month to scrape their way to the surface.
A group of tortoises is called a creep.Β But you won’t see a creep very often! Tortoises are solitary roamers… Some mother tortoises are protective of their nests, but they don’t care for their young after they hatch.
Tortoises even inspired the ancient Roman military!Β During seiges, soldiers would get in testudo formation, named after the Latin word for tortoise. The men formed rows and held shields in front or above them to completely shelter the unit!
And let’s not forget, tortoises are super cute! If you don’t believe me, check out this YouTube video of tortoises doing really cute things!
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Wild Challenge! Can you make yourself a shell out of a box?