The lifespan of the giant tortoise is about 150 years, making it the longest-living animal on the planet.

In captivity, some giant tortoises have lived as long as 177 years. Giant tortoises are characteristic reptiles of certain tropical islands. Often reaching enormous sizethey can weigh as much as 300 kg (660 lbs) and can grow to be 1.3 m (4 ft) longthey live, or lived (some species are recently extinct), in the Seychelles, the Mascarenes and the Galapagos. Today, the world's largest population inhabits Aldabra Atoll in Seychelles, where there are approximately 150,000 individuals. Although appearing similar, the tortoises represent separate branches of evolution. The Seychelles and Mascarenes tortoises derive from nearby Madagascar, while the Galapagos tortoises came from nearby Ecuador. Fact 1 - Definition: Tortoises or land turtles are land-dwelling reptiles of the family of Testudinidae, order Testudines. They have four legs and a shell that is joined down the sides. They also have strong, horny mouths, or beaks, and no teeth. The tortoise has the ability to withdraw their head and four legs partially into the shell, providing some protection from predators Fact 2 - The name is applied especially to the land and fresh-water species, while the marine species are generally called Turtles Fact 3 - What is the Difference Between a Turtle and a Tortoise? Tortoises live entirely above water so do not have flippers. Fact 4 - Tortoises have a protective shell around their bodies. The top part of the tortoise shell is the carapace, the underside is the plastron, and the two are connected by the bridge Fact 5 - They are cold-blooded and warm themselves by drawing heat from their environment Fact 6 - Tortoises do not have webbed feet, they are round and stumpy for walking on land Fact 7 - The tortoise generally has a lifespan comparable to a human Fact 8 - Leopard Tortoise stats and facts (Leopard tortoises are one of the largest tortoises in the world) Weight: 30 - 50 pounds Length: 15 -18 inches Habitat: Various - depending on the species Lifespan: up to 90 years Diet: the Tortoise are herbivores eating mainly tree leaves, grass and ferns. Fact 9 - Female tortoises dig nesting burrows in which they lay from 1 - 30 eggs Fact 10 - In most tortoise species, the female tends to be larger than the male tortoise Fact 11 - Giant tortoises can weigh as much as 300 kg (660 lbs) and can grow to be 1.3 m (4 ft) long Fact 12 - The tortoise is susceptible to parasites and pneumonia Fact 13 - The tortoise is the common name for a terrestrial turtle Fact 14 - A healthy tortoise's eyes should be clear, bright, alert, and fully open, without any discharge Fact 15 - A Tortoise is diurnal, meaning active during the day Fact 16 - Pet tortoises kept outdoors need some sort of structure in which to hide or spend the night Fact 17 - When holding a pet tortoise, support it with both hands as most tortoises become stressed when they feel air beneath them Fact 18 - Most male tortoises have tails that are longer than those of the female tortoise Fact 20 - The story of Hare and the Tortoise are one of the most famous of Aesop's Fables