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TortLife Trivia Time!
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Did you know ...?
Tortoises have both an exoskeleton and an endoskeleton. You may not see it from the outside, but inside the tortoise’s body is a spine, collar bone, and ribs. With Tortoises, there really is more than meets the eye!
Speaking of eyes, did you know that tortoises have really good vision and love bright colors? This is important because they feast on vibrant plants, cacti and other yummy vegetation, that can be especially hard to find in the desert.
A shell is not just for protection!
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If you ever thought that tortoises can't feel, you were wrong! Just because they escape the jaws of an alligator, doesn't mean they don't feel the pain of it. Each bone in a tortoise’s shell is connected to one another. It doesn’t look like it, but they are also able to feel when their shells are touched because of the nerve endings in them. So, go ahead and give your pet tortoise a good rub!
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What determines tortoise territory?
If the climates are warm enough for them to breed, you are able to find tortoises on all continents except Antarctica. Even Australia has breeds such as the Macquarie tortoise, Murray River short-neck tortoise or and the Common long-neck tortoise.
Weather Warning!
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Tortoises that live in hot, dry habitats use their strong forelimbs to dig burrows. Then, when it’s too hot in the sun, they slip underground to cool off. That means in really hot climates, tortoises can spend up to 95% of their day underground. This also happens in colder territories. When it's too cold outside, they burrow for warmth!
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Summer beauties anyone?
Weather doesn't just dictate where tortoises live, the weather plays a significant role in the sex of the hatchlings. When it’s cold, more males are born. When it’s warm, more females are born. This means that the sex isn't determined right away!
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Did you bleach your shell, or
is that just your accent?
Tortoises found in hot, desert climates have lighter colored shells to reflect light, and cooler climates produce darker colors that absorb more heat. You can tell a tortoises region of origin by the shade of its shell!
Don't forget to check back in a few weeks for more TortLife Trivia Time! Don't forget to live the TortLife by purchasing your merchandise here