FINDING NATURE’S TREASURES 
83 
Jack. “Did you know that his ribs are outside of his 
body?” 
“How can that be?” asked Fred. “I thought that ribs 
were always on the inside.” 
“The tortoise isn’t like other animals,” continued Uncle 
Jack. “His ribs grow together and make his shell. He 
wears them on the outside to protect his body.” 
“What do tortoises eat?” asked Marylee. 
“Tortoises don’t have any teeth, but the edges of the 
mouth are so sharp that they can bite juicy leaves and 
fruits,” replied Uncle Jack. 
“It’s my time to find a treasure now,” said Bess, as 
they left the little tortoise where they found him. 
