By Oladimeji Ododojesu
Did you know that some tortoises can live for over 150 years? This makes them one of the longest-living animals on our planet! They have a unique way of surviving and moving through the world that helps them live so long.
The first thing to know about tortoises is their amazing shell. This shell is not just a house—it is actually a part of the tortoise’s body and grows with it. If a tortoise feels scared or sees a predator, it can pull its legs and head inside the shell for safety. This strong armour keeps it safe, even though tortoises cannot run as fast as a rabbit.
Tortoises are also famous for being slow, but their slow pace is actually clever. Moving slowly helps them save energy, so they can spend most of their day calmly searching for plants, fruits, and flowers to eat. Being slow also gives them time to notice things that other animals might miss. This proves that you don’t have to be fast to be smart or successful.
In conclusion, the tortoise is a fascinating animal that survives by being patient and well-protected. Its shell keeps it safe, and moving slowly helps it save energy. Most importantly, the tortoise teaches us a valuable lesson: if we stay steady, patient, and keep going, we can reach any goal we set.
Oladimeji Ododojesu is a grade 4 student of Lordswill Academy, Abuja