What is Testudo or Tortoise?
Phylum Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Chelonia
Genus: Testudo.
Habitat: It is a terrestrial reptile found in temperate and tropical regions of Asia, Africa and Europe. It is commonly called land tortoise.
Habits:
(1) It is diurnal in activity.
(ii) It walks with the help of two pairs of pentadactyl limbs.
(iii) It is omnivorous and feeds upon mainly vegetation but may take insects and worms.
(iv) When disturbed it can withdraw its head, neck, limbs and tail into tortoise shell.
(v) Sexes are unisexual and show sexual dimorphism. Male has a penis. Fertilization is internal. Female is oviparous and eggs are laid in holes on land. Development is direct.
External characters :
(1) Body is covered by tortoise shell. Carapace is dome-shaped and is covered with well developed horny scale.
(ii) Body is divisible into head, neck, trunk and tail.
(iii) Head bears a wide and terminal jawed mouth. Jaws are toothless but have cornyfied
crush the food.
(iv) Neck is long but completely retractile.
(v) Trunk bears two pairs of pentadectyl limbs. Toes end in horny claws.
(vi) Limbs are well adapted for swim mining and fipper like.
(vii) Tail is short.
Economic importance: Its flesh is edible.
