Final answer:
The average giant tortoise lives over 100 years, outliving the average human lifespan, which is a fact supported by biological observations and lifespan data. Giant tortoises have evolved traits to survive, and some can grow over four feet in length and weigh about 670 pounds. Such longevity reflects evolutionary adaptation and biological endurance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement claiming that the average giant tortoise will outlive the average human can be considered a fact based on biological observations and lifespan data. Giant tortoises, such as those found in the Galapagos Archipelago, are known for their remarkable longevity, living well over 100 years. This is in stark contrast to the average human lifespan, which is significantly shorter, even though life expectancy has been increasing over time. Moreover, life expectancy is an average, affecting the general outcome.
In comparison, the average person eats half of a ton of food each year, predicting quite a substantial food intake over the average lifespan, yet giant tortoises like those on the Galápagos and Seychelles Islands have evolved traits like longer necks to better access food and survive through natural selection, further supporting their extended lifespans.
Likewise, the physical attributes of giant tortoises, such as their size - with some growing over four feet in length and weighing about 670 pounds - contribute to their unique physiological needs and life cycles. These impressive creatures have survived for so long, they've witnessed human history unfold, with some species being exploited as a fresh food source by sailors in the Indian and Pacific Oceans since the 1600s. Their resilience is also evident as they are descendants from an ancient lineage that arose approximately 200 million years ago, pre-dating many other reptiles.
In conclusion, the longer-than-century lifespans of these magnificent reptiles compared to humans reflect both evolutionary adaptation and biological endurance, making the statement about their longevity relative to humans a fact.