Can you tell the age of a tortoise by the number of rings on its shell?

It's a common myth that you can determine the age of a tortoise or turtle by counting the rings on its shell. The rings on the shell are caused by periods of growth and rest, but they are not a reliable indicator of age. This is because factors like nutrition and environment can greatly affect the growth rate of the tortoise, resulting in inconsistent ring patterns. In fact, some tortoises and turtles may not even have visible growth rings on their shells at all! So, how can you determine a tortoise's age? One way is to measure its size. Most tortoise species grow at a relatively predictable rate, and their age can be estimated by their size. Another way is to use carbon dating on the tortoise's bones or tissues, but this method can be expensive and invasive. In summary, while it is a popular belief that you can determine the age of a tortoise by counting its shell rings, it is not a reliable method. Measuring its size or using carbon dating are more accurate ways of determining its age.