The leopard tortoise, another very beautifully marked species, is found in the savannas of Africa, from Sudan to the southern Cape. They tend to inhabit semiarid grassland or thorny habitats. This species will only dig to make a nest, so in the extreme heat or cold, they will find shelter in … [Read more...] about Leopard Tortoise (S. pardalis)
Chelonian
Radiated Tortoise (A. radiata)
The radiated tortoise is endemic to Madagascar and prefers dry regions of brush, thorn forests, and woodlands. These are considered to be some of the most beautiful tortoises in the world due to their domed shape shell and bright star pattern. They are herbivorous and graze during the day. Their … [Read more...] about Radiated Tortoise (A. radiata)
Elongated Tortoise (L. elongata)
The elongated tortoise inhabits the forest and shrublands of the Southeast Asian and Indian Subcontinent in Nepal. These tortoises feed on a variety of plants but also snails and eggs. Due to the mass harvesting and the incorrect belief that a tortoise’s shell serves as an aphrodisiac, this species … [Read more...] about Elongated Tortoise (L. elongata)
Burmese Black Mountain Tortoise (M. emys phayrei)
The Burmese black mountain tortoise occurs in northwestern Thailand to northeastern India. They inhabit temperate, moist habitats such as highland tropical forests. They need very humid environments and rarely stray far from a source of water. Unlike most tortoises, Burmese black mountain tortoises … [Read more...] about Burmese Black Mountain Tortoise (M. emys phayrei)
Yellow Footed Tortoise (C. denticulata)
The yellow-footed tortoise, also known as the Brazilian giant tortoise, is found throughout the Amazon Basin of South America. They are the sixth-largest species of tortoise on the planet. They inhabit drier forests, grasslands, and the savanna and share some of its range with the red-footed … [Read more...] about Yellow Footed Tortoise (C. denticulata)