Giving new meaning to the phrase, "home bodies"

Turtles and tortoises are unique to all reptiles. They have an amazing defense mechanism, their shell. The shell is made of bone with scutes on the outside layer. The scutes are made up of keratin just like a human's hair and nails. When threatened turtles and tortoises will duck inside their shell for protection. Click on their picture to see their biography.

Yucca

Red-Footed Tortoise (Geochelone carbonaria). These tortoises live in South America where you find them traveling along the floors of jungles. They have extra long legs so when it rains and the mud is thick, they walk on tip-toe to find their favorite foods. They eat mostly green plants and flowers and occasionally juicy fruits.

They get their name from the characteristic red-orange color on their legs and feet.

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Titus

Red-Footed Tortoise (Geochelone carbonaria). These tortoises live in South America where you find them traveling along the floors of jungles. They have extra long legs so when it rains and the mud is thick, they walk on tip-toe to find their favorite foods. They eat mostly green plants and flowers and occasionally juicy fruits.

They get their name from the characteristic red-orange color on their legs and feet.

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Waffle

Red-Footed Tortoise (Geochelone carbonaria). These tortoises live in South America where you find them traveling along the floors of jungles. They have extra long legs so when it rains and the mud is thick, they walk on tip-toe to find their favorite foods. They eat mostly green plants and flowers and occasionally juicy fruits.

They get their name from the characteristic red-orange color on their legs and feet.
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Phoenix

Common Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina). Box turtles are native to forests and grasslands in eastern United States and into Mexico. They will eat a variety of food including, insects, worms, berries, plants, and even carrion. But they are famous for their defensive strategy. Their plastron (bottom shell) Has a hinged plate on the front. When they feel threatened, they can quickly pull in their front legs and head and snap the plate closed. It makes an impenetrable barrier and it’s how they got their name. Another interesting aspect of box turtles is, they are able to survive in dry, hot environments by rubbing saliva over their head and front legs, and urinating on their back legs to keep their body cool. 

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