giant land tortoise

Giant tortoises are large, long-lived, herbivorous land reptiles belonging to the family Testudinidae. They are easily identified by their elephantine hind limbs and high-domed shells, though some species have flatter shells. These tortoises are found on all continents except Australia and Antarctica, inhabiting diverse environments from deserts to tropical forests.12

Giant tortoises, such as those from the Aldabra and Galapagos Islands, can have shells over 1 meter (3.3 feet) long. They are known for their impressive lifespans, with some individuals living well over 100 years, and even up to 250 years in captivity. This longevity is attributed to slow metabolisms and protective shells. Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise, is the world's oldest known terrestrial animal, hatched in the early 1830s.13