REPTILES 



CHELONI 



( Turtles) 



The turtles of the Red Sea belong to the two species Chelone 

 imbucata and Chelone mydas. They are common on the coasts 

 of the islands where they lay as many as 1 30 eggs each under 

 the sand of the deserted beaches. These eggs are spherical 

 and about the size of golf balls. The shell is soft but notably 

 elastic and resistant to breakage. Of the total number of 

 eggs laid by a female, about a quarter are not fertilized. 

 These have no yolk and are irregular in shape. According to 

 the native fishermen, when the eggs open many of the small 

 turtles fail to reach the sea before they are carried off by 

 the birds of prey that continually hover over the beaches. 



It is fascinating to watch underwater a turtle which has 

 not been startled. Its movements are slow and harmonious 

 in spite of its awkward appearance. Copulation takes place 

 on the surface of the water. Although this is difficult to 

 believe, a turtle moves very quickly in water. Fish make way 

 for it even if they are ten yards in front. 



The meat of both the imbucata and mjdas is delicious, their 

 eggs are in great demand by native fishermen and the shell 

 of the imbucata is used in tortoise-shell manufacture. 



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