Soft Toy Tortoise by Living Nature (20cm) AN726

Manufacturer: Living Nature
Category: Animals

This cute little tortoise has a sweet face with air brushed details and airbrushed details along its back to give the shell effect. Firmly stuffed to keep its shape but soft enough to cuddly.

Shop now and ignite a love for nature while they play and snuggle with this delightful tortoise friend. Ideal gift for animal lovers of all ages.

Size approx. 8" (20cm) in length and 5.5" (14cm) in height to the top of its head.

• Tag includes educational animal facts
• Suitable for all ages including from birth (0+ years)
• Care instructions: Hand wash only, do not machine wash or tumble dry
• Please remove all tags and attachments before giving to a child
• 10 year guarantee when registered with Living Nature

All Living Nature™ toys contain our Naturli eco-stuffing! The entire range uses 100% certified recycled plastics for either the stuffing or the whole toy.

All Tortoises are Turtles, But Not All Turtles are Tortoises

Tortoises are a sub-group of turtles, so they are all technically turtles. However some key differences mean that not all turtles can be considered tortoises. Have we confused you yet?!

Tortoises are Ancient

Tortoises have been around for over 230 million years – longer than lizards, birds, mammals, crocodiles and snakes. In fact, turtles coexisted with dinosaurs and survived the conditions that made dinosaurs extinct!

They Can Live a Very Long Time

Some turtles and tortoises can live to over 100 years old – and beyond! One such tortoise was Harriet, who is said to have originally been found and looked after by Charles Darwin from 1835 and later arrived at Australia Zoo in Queensland. She died there in 2006 and was believed to have been 175 at the time.

They Can Live Almost Anywhere

Turtles can live in most climates that are warm enough for them to breed. They live on every single continent except Antarctica!

Turtle Shells are Complex

A turtle shell contains around 50 to 60 interconnected bones. The shell is actually a part of the turtles’ spine and it cannot come off.

A Group of Tortoises is Called a Creep

The main collective noun for turtles on the other hand is a bale. However, most turtles and tortoises are loners who prefer their own company.

The Scales on a Tortoise Shell are Known as Scutes

The hard scales that make up the outer shell of a tortoise are made of the same keratin as human fingernails. This protects against injury, damage and infection.

The Colour of a Tortoise’s Shell Indicates Origin

A lighter shell indicates that a tortoise originally came from a warmer country. The lightest known shade means that the tortoise originates from the southern part of the Sahara Desert.

Turtles Can Hold Their Breath for a Good While

Sea turtles can hold their breath for as long as seven hours when they are resting during the winter. Tortoises and turtles empty their lungs before going back into their shell and can last for some time without coming out for oxygen. If they sense a threat, they can often be heard exhaling in preparation for going into their shell.

It’s Not Easy to Tell Their Sex

It’s not as simple as you might think to tell the sex of a tortoise! It’s often only possible to tell when they reach a particular size, which can vary depending on the breed.

The plastron (the bottom shell) is usually the easiest way to differentiate; it tends to be flatter for females and more curved for males. Generally speaking, male tortoises will be larger than their female counterparts (although this is not always the case). Males also tend to have longer tails.

They Smell With Their Throats

Turtles can smell very well both on land and in water. As is common with reptiles in general, they use the roof of their mouth to smell. This is where their vomeronasal organ (otherwise known as the Jacobson’s Organ) is located. They use it to pump air through the nose and around the mouth.

Turtles Can Feel Through Their Shell

Tortoises and turtles have nerve endings in their shells so they can feel when they are touched there.

There are More than 350 Different Species of Turtle

The most common species of turtle in British waters is the leatherback. They are so-called because of their leathery shell which is unlike other more boney turtle shells.

We hope you’ve enjoyed these interesting facts about tortoises and turtles!