CHAPTER VII: THE TORTOISES 



Strictly Terrestrial Cbelonians. Represented in North America by 



Three Species 



THE greater number of the true Tortoises inhabit the Old 

 World. They comprise four very closely allied genera. The 

 largest genus is Testudo, which is made up of about thirty-eight 

 species. All of the New World species belong to this genus. 

 Three occur in North America proper (in the extreme southern 

 portions of the United States); three inhabit Mexico, Central 

 America and northern South America, and a number are con- 

 fined to the Galapagos Islands. The latter are huge tortoises, 

 whose generations are supposed to have survived the Age of 

 Giant Reptiles. 



The Tortoises are easily distinguished from the turtles, by 

 the club-shaped feet of the former, in place of the webbed feet 

 of the latter, and the high, dome-like shell. The skin is dry 

 and wrinkled. Their method of placing the hind feet, when 

 walking, and the peculiar formation of these appendages, at 

 once suggest (in miniature) the feet of an elephant. 



All of the Tortoises are strictly terrestrial and if forcibly 

 thrown into water, are clumsy and almost helpless. A large num- 

 ber of species frequent arid situations some, the deserts proper. 

 Many dig deep burrows, in which they retire during the great 

 heat of mid-day. The larger part of the food of these creatures 

 consists of vegetation and fruit. 



The three species of Tortoises inhabiting the United States 

 are remarkably similar in colouration, all being of a dull, brown 

 hue. They evince similar habits in selecting dry, barren areas, 

 and digging long burrows in which to shelter. A key to assist 

 in their identification is given: 



A. Shell much longer than wide. 



Some greatly enlarged scales on inner surface of fore- 

 arm. Front lobe of plastron bent abruptly upward. 

 GOPHER TORTOISE, Testudo polyphemus, 



65 



