Are Tortoises Really Sluggish!

Tortoises are not slow at all. A few factors that make them appear to be slow are as follows:

1. They are cold blooded reptiles, which means that they cannot produce their own heat energy similar to mammals like us.
2. Due to this, their activities are based on the external temperatures. On cold days, they do not move around much. So, do not expect them to run around on a winter or rainy day. In fact, some tortoises are observed to estivate* during winters.
3. Whenever possible, they sunbathe and do not move around much. This does not mean that they are inactive. They are absorbing heat and energy from sun. They are natural solar batteries. This is one reason that reptiles consume lesser quantities of food than their warm blooded counterparts of same weight.
4. Tortoises (which live exclusively on land), terrapins (freshwater turtles), and turtles (saltwater seafarers) carry heavy armor on their bodies. The top piece is called as carapace and the lower part which safeguards the belly is plastron. This armor is extension of the ribcage and protects them from injuries and predation.
5. The tortoises can pull their legs, head and tail within the shell casing, whereas some tortoises bend their heads inside. A few like flapshell turtle can close the shell using the flap in its plastron.
6. Since they are well protected within the shell and literally carry their home with them, there is no need for them to rush.
7. Consider a person who is about 80kg (176 lbs) carrying about 120kg (265 lbs) of weight with him wherever he goes and cannot drop the weight down at all. This is the situation of the tortoises. They have increased weight along with strength and safety.
8. When compared to other animals in terms of weight, the tortoise can outrun many with this partial exoskeleton.
9. Remember that these have long and strong legs and can keep up a decent pace for long, only if required. However, humongous amount of persuation is required to drive them like that. Check out the new turtle hatchlings that rush into the oceans to believe that they are not sluggish at all.
10. They are slow by choice, not by design.

* Estivation: This is the reptilian equivalent to hibernation. However, the reptile does get active at times between sleeping sprees.