38 REPTILES OF THE WORLD 



out sand were in manj^ instances not more than three 

 inches high. 



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

 toises were found prowhng. 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 Avere not so stoical about capture, making for 

 a burrow with some show of agility. When picked up 

 thej^ 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 thej^ 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 forehmbs. 



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 



