The leopard tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis) is a large tortoise found in the savannas of eastern and southern Africa, from Sudan to the southern Cape. This tortoise is named after its interesting and attractive shell markings, which often resemble the pattern of a leopard.The … [Read more...]
Testudines
Testudines is an order of reptiles that includes turtles, terrapins, and tortoises.
All members of this order are characterized by a shell that protects their bodies. The shell is made up of two parts: the carapace (upper shell) and the plastron (lower shell).
Testudines are ectothermic, meaning that they rely on external sources of heat to regulate their body temperature. They are found in a variety of habitats, including freshwater, marine, and terrestrial environments.
Turtles are perhaps the best-known members of this order. They are characterized by a shell that is fused to the ribs and vertebrae, as well as a beak-like mouth.
Terrapins are a type of turtle that is adapted to life in brackish or freshwater environments.
Tortoises are the largest members of this order, and are distinguished by their land-dwelling habits and lack of webbing between their toes.
Testudines are found on every continent except Antarctica.
Some species are also used by humans for food or traditional medicine. With over 300 species, Testudines is one of the most diverse orders of reptiles.
Turtles
Turtles are reptiles of the order Testudines (all living turtles belong to the crown group Chelonia), most of whose body is shielded by a special bony or cartilaginous shell developed from their ribs. The top part of the shell is called a carapace and the bottom is called the … [Read more...]
African Spurred Tortoise
The African Spurred Tortoise (Geochelone sulcata) is also known as the Sulcata Tortoise, 'Grooved Tortoise', the 'Spur Tortoise' and the 'African Spur Thigh Tortoise'. It is a desert-dwelling tortoise whose range extends along the southern edge of the Sahara Desert from Senegal … [Read more...]
Tortoise
A Tortoise is a land-dwelling reptile of the order Testudines. Tortoises are found worldwide with the most famous tortoise of all, the Giant Tortoise Lonesome George who lives on the Galapagos Islands near Ecuador. Tortoises, like their aquatic cousins, the Turtles, have a hard … [Read more...]
Galapagos Giant Tortoise
The Galapagos Giant Tortoise is probably the best well known animal of the Galapagos Isles. Galapagos Giant Tortoises keep growing until they are about 40 - 50 years old and can reach a weight of 500 pounds. The Galapagos Giant Tortoise can grow to be 5 feet tall this makes them … [Read more...]
Galapagos Green Sea Turtle
Green Sea Turtles are one of the most widespread species of marine turtle, found in tropical and subtropical waters throughout the globe. However, the Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia Mydas) is the only species of turtle that nests in the Galapagos Islands. Research has … [Read more...]