Tortoise
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ⓒRebecca Bugge, All Rights Reserved
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One fountain in a set of two, at Villa Borghese, in the massive stairs leading down to National museum of modern art, Rome. The set dates from 1911 and is called Fontane delle Tartarughe (that is, the fountains of the tortoise - and is not to be confused with the Fontana delle Tartarughe, in singular, which is completely different, Renaissance, fountain: www.flickr.com/photos/dameboudicca/3288857504/ )
'Galapagos tortoises have two main shell types: Saddle-back and domed. Saddleback tortoises shell adaption allows them to raise their heads high enough to eat food farther off the ground in islands with tree cactuses. Domed tortoises are found on islands where vegetation is closer to the ground.
Number of lego bricks: 21, 976
Total hours to build: 106
In 2020, the breeding program at Ecuador's Galapagos National Parks announced the retirement of Diego, the Galapagos tortoise who is credited with helping to save this species from extinction. The breeding program increased the population from 15 to 2000.'
Sean Kenney's Nature Pop!
The Gopher Tortoise was added to the "Threatened" list of species by the US. Fish and Wildlife Service on July 7, 1987. The primary reason is the destruction of habitat.
These were very common in the sandy soil all around the beach houses in New Smyrna Beach, and some burrows were over a foot wide to accommodate their large size.
iNaturalist link www.inaturalist.org/observations/167109048
The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is a species of tortoise in the family Testudinidae. The species is native to the southeastern United States. The gopher tortoise is seen as a keystone species because it digs burrows that provide shelter for at least 360 other animal species. G. polyphemus is threatened by predation and habitat destruction. Habitat degradation is the primary reason that the gopher tortoise is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, but they are considered threatened in some states while they are endangered in others.[4]
The gopher tortoise is a representative of the genus Gopherus, which contains the only tortoises native to North America.
Jenny Pansing photos
Ile aux Aigrettes, Mauritius
There were originally 5 species of giant tortoise in the Mascarene Islands (Mauritius, Reunion and Rodrigues) and they were a vital part of the eco system on the islands particularly for seed dispersal. All were hunted to extinction and the Aldabra Tortoise of the Seychelles is now the nearest living relative. These have been introduced onto Ile aux Aigrettes to help fill the void left by the extinct native species.
The Radiated Tortoise (Geochelone radiata) is one of the most protected species of tortoise in the world. Within the reptile world, it is something of a poster child for environmental conservation. In the U.S., this means that--in order to keep them legally--one must obtain a USFWS captive bred wildlife permit, and many states require their own licenses atop this U.S. one!
The protection is helping. Today, it is likely that over 3,000 of these tortoises are living and breeding in the U.S., while civilization continues to encroach on their homelands in Madagascar.
The captively-cared for juvenile photographed here is approximately four years old and could have well more than 100 years to go!
Like many a teen, this young Radiated Tortoise (Geochelone radiata) is getting to know himself. After all, he is only 13 years old and could easily have another hundred years of life ahead of him! At almost 15" long, he is basically full-grown at this point. And he's spends much of his time running about, flexing his muscles, and looking for ladies. Sometimes, he gets so excited by this search, he has to remind himself to eat.
Interestingly, this captively-cared for tortoise is a smart fellow who recognizes his keepers and will come up for head and shell scratches when they are within eye shot!
Aldabra Tortoises may live over 150 years. They evolved their giant size on small islands free from threats of humans.
Taken at Taronga Zoo in Sydney during a recent visit.
I grew up around gopher tortoises, and it's really great to see them thriving in my neighborhood. A common sight that never gets old. Their burrows are widely used by other species throughout the ecosystem, making gopher tortoises a keystone species with a pivotal role to play in their native community.
The gopher tortoise is a species of the Gopherus genus native to the southeastern United States. The gopher tortoise is seen as a keystone species because it digs burrows that provide shelter for at least 360 known other animal species. Hernando, Florida, USA.
This is not Hank, the red-footed tortoise whom I posted a few days ago. This is one of the African tortoises at Lehigh Valley Zoo. The tortoises live in "Habitat Madagascar," along with the lemurs.
Spotted this large Gopher Tortoise while out Geocaching. The Gopher Tortoise is listed as a threatened species but I do see them often as they are not shy at all. This one came within inches of me while I was taking photos.
"The Desert Tortoise is one of most elusive inhabitants of the desert, spending up to 95% of its life underground. The desert tortoise lives in a variety of habitats from sandy flats to rocky foothills, including alluvial fans, washes and canyons where suitable soils for den construction might be found. It is found from near sea level to around 3,500 feet in elevation. Most desert visitors will not see a tortoise. But if you plan your trip for early spring, and are patient, you may see one of these popular residents of the Mojave Desert" U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Spotted this tortoise when I drove by the park on my way home last March. It was busy feeding on the grass so I pulled over and very slow and carefully took one step closer each time I got a chance when it's head was down on the grass. Surprised I could get that close without being spotted. I even got a short video. They're such nice creatures. They look so harmless .. never bothered anyone it seems.
Giant tortoise portrait, taken with a Nikon D600 and 300mm Nikkor lens. All my published books, available world wide, can be viewed here:
www.amazon.com/stores/Paul-Moore/author/B0075LNIO2?ref=ap...
A first for me. I was so excided to find one of these guys in my yard yesterday! Pretty cool looking guy I think ;-)
Here are some more information if you are interested:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_tortoise_beetle
Have a golden Sunday!
The Victoria Butterfly Gardens is located in the Greater Victoria region of Brentwood Bay and is one of the most popular tourist sites in the Victoria area. The Victoria Butterfly Gardens is known for having different species of butterflies and moths in their indoor facility, as well as birds, fishes, frogs, a chameleon, geckoes and tortoises.
I just met this big girl in my backyard. Not the same Gopher Tortoise as the previous photo. It's biggest one I've seen so far; easily a foot long. I've been down with a cold, but I hope to get out on the river tomorrow with the camera.
Citrus County, FL
Desert tortoise on his rounds to find food
One of the most difficult issues facing tortoises is high mortality among the newly hatched. It is believed that only 1-5 of 100 tortoises born survive to adulthood.
Photo to Painterly Effect. The Galápagos tortoise or Galápagos giant tortoise is the largest living species of tortoise and the 14th-heaviest living reptile.
In Florida gopher tortoises are on the Endangered Species List, categorized as a Threatened Species.
The gopher tortoise (gopherus polyphemus) belongs to a group of land tortoises that originated in North America 60 million years ago, thus making it one of the oldest living species.
Gopher tortoises are so named because of their ability to dig large, deep burrows. The gopher tortoise is unique in that it is one of the few tortoises to actually make large burrows. Many tortoises hide under vegetation or use very shallow burrows.
These guys are a lot more gentle than the Snapping Turtle. In fact, I don't think you can get one to bite you. (smile)
I found this one on the Pevine Trail in Osceola County, Florida.
Gopher Tortoise in Florida. They live on dry land and burrow into the sand and dirt to make tunnels for their home's. These guy's are very fast on the surface,