38 REPTILES OF THE WORLD 



out sand were in many instances not more than three 

 inches high. 



From dawn until eight or nine in the morning, the tor- 

 toises were found prowling. When the old ones were 

 approached they sank to the sand with a sharp hiss, drew 

 in the head and limbs, and remained motionless. Young 

 tortoises were not so stoical about capture, making for 

 a burrow with some show of agility. When picked up 

 they kicked and scratched in a thoroughly vigorous 

 fashion. 



If not kept perfectly dry — besides very warm — cap- 

 tive tortoises survive only a few weeks. Given proper 

 quarters they live indefinitely, probably reaching an age 

 of considerably over a hundred years. Mainly herbiv- 

 orous, they will eat lettuce, celery, grass and clover as 

 well as different kinds of fruit; berries are a favorite 

 food. 



Throughout tropical South America may be found a 

 tortoise with a much elongated shell, black above with 

 a bright yellow spot in the center of each shield. We 

 might call this species the South American Tortoise; 

 technically, it is known as Testudo tabulata. Large 

 shells are eighteen inches long. In addition to the bright 

 blotches on the shell, is a bright coral hue tingeing the 

 scales of the f orelimbs. 



The Abyssinian Tortoise, T. calcarata, ranks as one 

 of the largest of the African tortoises. In several ways 

 it is characteristic, for the shell is rather flattened and of 

 a uniform horn color. An adult has a shell twenty 

 inches long. Head and limbs are yellowish; the latter 

 are encased in big, bony spurs. 



The Star Tortoise, T. elegans, is a really beautiful 

 creature, though of moderate size. The carapace is very 

 high and dome-like, each shield containing concentric 



