Tuesday the 23rd of May is World Turtle Day.
As the Marina only has tortoises, we will be celebrating our tortoises, the longest living land animals in the world. Most species live 80 to 150 years.
The marina has two species, the leopard tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis) and the angulate tortoise (Chersina angulata). Most tortoises are shy and reclusive, but some do like interaction with humans like Fred, one of the Marina’s largest leopard tortoises.
They are herbivorous grazers and feed throughout the day. During cold winter months, they will be sheltering in holes or under logs to hibernate. Our tortoises like most others in the country, are increasingly threatened by habitat destruction due to development.
One of the Marina’s smaller angulate tortoises.
NB Please be on the lookout for these special creatures. They are free to roam all over the Marina. Do not pick them up or take them home. Permits are needed to keep them as pets.
What is age if we talk about a tortoise?
The oldest living tortoise in the world is Jonathan, a giant Seychelles tortoise. He lives on the Island of Saint Helena.
According to Wikipedia, he was hatched in 1832. This makes him a whopping 191 years old. He loves his caretakers who call him a charming old gentleman.