Tortoise is the name generally given to the land species of reptiles of the order Chelonia, the aquatic species being the terrapins and turtles. The members are characterised by a partially external skeleton forrming a bony box or shell for the animal's protection, from which project the legs and head, and which can be retracted into the shell. None of the tortoises have teeth, but the jaws are cased with horn to form a cutting beak. In most of the toroises the carapace is covered with horny plates, often finely mottled, the prettier kinds being used for tortoiseshell, but ironically the best totoiseshell comes from the shell of a species of turtle.
Tortoises are confined to the warmer regions of the world, some species occuring in southern Europe. They are herbivores and are active during the day (diurnal), in the cooler regions hibernating during the winter, but in the hotter regions remaining active all year. Tortoises are renowned for their longevity, giant tortoises living for over 100 years.
The Testudo graeca species of Tortoise from southern Europe is about 15 to 25 cm long, has a mottled yellow and black carapace and are eaten in Italy and Sicily. The female lays about a dozen white eggs which she buries in warm sand during the month of June. Research Tortoise
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Nature
Research Tortoise
