Welcome to the Tortoise Quiz, where you can test your knowledge and learn more about these ancient reptiles! Tortoises are known for their large domed shell on their back that they use for protection. Unlike their turtle cousins, these reptiles reside almost entirely on land instead of water and they can be found in diverse locations all around the world.
Take the quiz to test your knowledge of Tortoises if you believe you know everything there is to know about them or if you simply want to learn more about these interesting reptiles!
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What is the scientific name for the tortoise?
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What is the average lifespan of a tortoise?
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What is the largest species of tortoise?
What is the smallest species of tortoise?
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What is the average weight of a tortoise?
Types Of Tortoises
There are 49 species of tortoises that range from the smallest, the Speckled tortoise that is in the genus Homopus, with a size range of 2.4–3.1 inches and is endemic to South Africa and Southern Namibia, to the largest, the Galapagos tortoise that is in the genus Chelonoidis, and is endemic to the Galapagos Islands, with a size range of that can exceed five feet. Here are just a few of the 49 different types of tortoises:
- Indian Star
- Mojave Desert
- Sonoran Desert
- Greek
- Hermann’s
- Egyptian
- Aldabran Giant
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What is the average length of a tortoise?
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What is the primary diet of tortoises?
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What is the name for the hard, protective shell of a tortoise?
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What is the name for the underside of a tortoise’s shell?
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What is the name for a group of tortoises?
Interesting Tortoise Facts
One of the more know facts about these reptiles is that they live a long time. A very long time. The current record for the oldest known living land animal is held by Jonathan, who is a Seychelles giant tortoise, who is 190 years old. The previous record was held by Tu’i Malila, who was a radiated tortoise and died at the estimated age of 188.
- Their shell is made up of over 60 individual bones that are all interconnected.
- Weather determines their gender.
- A tortoise can be a turtle, but a turtle can’t be a tortoise. Turtles have webbed feet, a tortoise has round, stubby, chunky feet.
- The color of their shell is generally an indicator of where they came from. Lighter shells come from warmer climates.
- Tortoises must exhale the air in their lungs before they return to their shells.
- As land dwellers, these reptiles are unable to swim and would drown in deep water.
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What is the name for the process of shedding a tortoise’s shell?
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What is the name for the process of a tortoise burying itself in the ground to regulate its body temperature?
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What is the name for the process of a tortoise slowing down its metabolism and activity during the winter months?
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What is the name for the process of a tortoise keeping its eggs warm until they hatch?
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