The Tortoises 



This reptile buries its eggs in the sand in a situation exposed 

 to the full rays of the sun. During the breeding season, the 

 males utter a short^ rasping call, repeated at intervals of about 

 two seconds apart. 



AGASSIZ'S TORTOISE 

 Testudo agassifi, (Cooper) 



In general outlines, size and in colouration, this species 

 is very similar to the preceding. The enlarged scales or spines 

 on the forearm that are so noticeable with the preceding tortoise, 

 are absent from this species, the scales of the forearm being 

 large and coarse, but of fairly uniform size. The head is narrower 

 and the front lobe of the plastron slopes but gradually upward 

 in place of the abrupt, upward inclination to be noted with the 

 Gopher Tortoise. 



Dimensions. The measurements of a fair-sized specimen 

 from the desert south of Phoenix, Arizona, are given: 



Length of Carapace 9^ inches 



Width of 7 



Height of 4 



Length of Plastron 9^ 



Width of 6 



Width of Head i* 



Width of Forearm if 



These measurements show much the same conformation 

 as the preceding species the considerably greater length over 

 the width of the shell. By this character, the two species con- 

 sidered differ from Berlandier's Tortoise. 



Distribution. Deserts of Arizona and southern California. 



Habits. The writer's specimens have exhibited considerable 

 intelligence, becoming exceedingly tame within a few days 

 after their arrival from the deserts. They learn to take food 

 from the hand and appear to possess actual affection. Two 

 specimens, at the time of writing, have the liberty of the writer's 

 room. They insist upon crawling over and about his feet and 

 when desiring to rest, often crawl under his chair, where they 

 stretch their limbs backwards, in alligator-like fashion, out- 

 stretch the head and neck to the fullest extent, when their dark, 

 beady eyes peer about curiously without an intimation of fear. 

 Tney have regular trails about the floor, which they follow for 



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