Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Tortoise Facts From The Creatures Inside Their Shells

By Alan Stables


Nature is a calming setting and with tortoises, there are plenty of tortoise facts to learn. A few reptiles can outperform tortoises and turtles when it comes to longevity. American box turtles are widely known for their lifespan - over one hundred years.

Regardless of a turtle's age, they organs are efficient throughout their lifetime. There are around 40 different types of over 250 varies species that make up the turtle families.

The most popular species of turtles are the Mediterranean tortoises, the Aldabran tortoises, Galapagos tortoises, the, the red foot tortoises, the desert tortoises, the hinge back tortoises, the yellow foot tortoises and the Russian tortoises.

Some turtles are extremely big like the leatherback turtle. This specific turtle has the ability to grow up to 8 feet tall and can weigh as much as over 800 kilograms making it also the heaviest turtle ever. Dramatically, the smallest of this family can grow as less as 4 inches tall and weigh just above a hundred grams.

The shell on the body of these lovely reptiles is not just a cover but also helps them tackle dangerous predators and their attacks. These shells on the body also act as shelters. Most tortoises can pull their heads inside and sleep.

The upper part of this effective body shield is called carapace and the inner side is known as plastron. It is made up of about sixty bones and is always attached to the spinal cords of tortoises. Many tortoises' shells have dome-shaped high carapaces.

The pancake tortoise is found in eastern Africa. Researchers believe they can inflate and extract air depending on its environment. Most researchers believe this is due to their long lifespan and shell size.

Tortoises make great pets but may prove to be some of the most terrestrial animals out there. Learn the tortoise facts for your future reference.




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