Explore 13 Tortoises Collections - Atlas Obscura
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Desert tortoises have seen a lot—as a species, at least. This one, Rocky, was injured and rescued by wildlife biologists.
science

Desert Tortoises Get New Homes in Backyards and Other Surprising Spaces

As their habitat dwindles, reptile relocators are springing into action to save these slow-moving icons.
Julia Sizek March 22, 2024
Puerto Ayora, Ecuador

Lonesome George at the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center

An exhibition devoted to the life (and posthumous taxidermy form) of the last known representative of the Pinta Island Tortoises.
Aldabra giant tortoise on Changuu
Tanzania

Changuu (Prison Island)

Over the course of its history, this tiny island has held enslaved people in transit and served as a quarantine zone. Today, it's a giant tortoise sanctuary.
Bibi and Poldi having a tense moment.
zoos

The Celebrity Tortoise Breakup That Rocked the World

In 2011, after nearly a century together, Galápagos tortoises Bibi and Poldi called it quits. We still don’t know why.
Cara Giaimo February 13, 2019
The Shengong Shengde stele, supported by a tortoise, in the Sifangcheng pavillion at the Ming Tombs in Nanjing, China (left) and a tomb plaque marker on a tortoise base from China, 219–316 CE (right).
tortoises

Why Some Gravestones Are Shaped Like Tortoises

They originated as ancient Chinese funerary markers.
Claire Voon October 26, 2018
Domed Galápagos tortoises have rounded shells that seem to help them right themselves.
islands

How a Flipped-Over Giant Tortoise Gets Its Feet Back on the Ground

And why some find it harder than others.
Natasha Frost December 1, 2017
The distinctive markings of the Burmese star tortoise make it a popular option in the exotic pet trade. (Image cropped.)
science

The Burmese Star Tortoise Is Back From the Brink of Extinction

A meteoric return for a slow and steady reptile.
Natasha Frost October 13, 2017
zoos

This Tortoise Escape Artist Has Been Brought Home Once Again

This is Abuh's second escape from Shibukawa Animal Park this summer.
Cara Giaimo August 16, 2017
A koi pond at Sunken Gardens.
St. Petersburg, Florida

Sunken Gardens

A luxuriant botanical garden below sea level.
There is a companion skeleton in storage
Los Angeles, California

Galápagos Tortoise Skeleton

This rare tortoise skeleton has been hanging around the downtown Los Angeles museum for over a century.
The tortoise after his daring escape.
fires

Brave Tortoise Escaping Deadly Sand Fire Fled 'as Quickly as He Could'

Here's at least one happy ending.
Cara Giaimo July 25, 2016
tortoises

Watch a Man Walk His Pet Tortoise Around the Streets of Tokyo

They're not the fastest pair there ever was.
David Doochin July 15, 2016
Lonesome George
taxidermy

Lonesome George, Last of his Tortoise Kind, Continuing on as Taxidermy

Laetitia Barbier July 19, 2013