Order Testudines Family Testudinidae Higher classification Tortoise | Phylum Chordata Scientific name Geochelone Rank Genus | |
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Mass African spurred tortoise: 43 kg Lower classifications African spurred tortoise, Leopard tortoise, Indian star tortoise, Galapagos Giant Tortoise, Burmese star tortoise | ||
Aldabra tortoise geochelone gigantea giant land reptile
Geochelone is a genus of tortoises.
Contents
- Aldabra tortoise geochelone gigantea giant land reptile
- Leopard tortoise geochelone pardalis reptile conservation through education
- Self righting shell
- References
Geochelone tortoises, which are also known as typical tortoises or terrestrial turtles, can be found in Africa and Asia. They primarily eat plants.
The genus consists of two extant species:
There are two extinct species that inhabited the Canary Islands:
A number of tortoise species have been recently removed from the genus. This taxon as formerly defined was "polyphyletic, representing at least four independent clades". Tortoises removed include members of Aldabrachelys (from the Seychelles and Madagascar), Astrochelys (Madagascar), Chelonoidis (South America and the Galápagos Islands), Stigmochelys (Africa) and earlier, the extinct genus Colossochelys (southern Asia).
Leopard tortoise geochelone pardalis reptile conservation through education
"Self-righting" shell
The form of the shell of the Indian star tortoise resembles a gömböc, allowing it to turn over when lying upside down very easily.
