Ryan Photographic - Testudinidae - Tortoises

Testudinidae

There are 50 extant species of tortoise in 12 genera. All tortoises share a very similar morphology and are characterized by possessing a shell made up of a modified rib cage and the vertebral column. This makes them immune to all but the biggest predators. Adult tortoises of the largest species must be immune to anything except being sat on by an elephant.

Sadly, many species are considered a delicacy throughout Asia and as a result many species are highly endangered. Even species not directly threatened by humans are at risk because of human introduced rats which find the eggs and hatchling tortoises a convenient snack.

Tortoises are amongst the longest lived of all the vertebrates and 150 years does not seem unreasonable for the biggest species. Most tortoises are extremely hardy and can go for long periods without food. There is even a record of a Seychelles giant tortoise floating all the way to Africa - a voyage of 740 km (462 miles for the Americans). The growth of barnacles on the animal's legs suggest the tortoise spent 6-7 weeks at sea.

Tortoises are found on all continents except Australia and Antarctica. For more information you can check this link written by my friend George Zug..

Geochelone carbonaria Red-footed tortoise

Geochelone elegans Star tortoise

Geochelone gigantia Aldabra tortoise

Gopherus agassizii Desert tortoise

Gopherus berlandieri, Texas or Berlandier's tortoise

Pyxis arachnoides Spider tortoise

Testudo graeca Greek tortoise

Turtles

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