Home › Volumes › Reptiles › Turtles and Tortoises
Agassiz's Tortoise
- Dimensions
- The measurements of a fair-sized specimen from the desert south of Phoenix, Arizona, are given:
- Distribution
- Deserts of Arizona and southern California.
- Habits
- The writer's specimens have exhibited considerable intelligence, becoming exceedingly tame within a few days after their arrival from the deserts. They learn to take food from the hand and appear to possess actual affection. Two specimens, at the time of writing, have the liberty of the writer's room. They insist upon crawling over and about his feet and when desiring to rest, often crawl under his chair. where they stretch their limbs backwards, in alligator-like fashion, outstretch the head and neck to the fullest extent, when their dark, beady eyes peer about curiously without an intimation of fear. They have regular trails about the floor, which they follow for hours, seldom deviating an inch, this way or the other from imaginary lines, though daily, they appear to change the routine of their marching. On one day the larger specimen traversed the centre of the room in circular fashion. In the centre of the circle, which measured about eight feet in diameter, was a small table. Around this object the tireless reptile continued its seemingly aimless journey for hours, its bluntly-clawed feet clicking regularly upon the hard-wood floor. On another occasion the writer dropped a small book and neglecting to immediately pick it up, was attracted to it a moment later by hearing one of the tortoises crawl over it. A minute later, the tortoise recrossed the book. When a third time the writer's attention was called to this sound, he watched the creature. It had changed its previous line of march to a straight course, up and down the room, which trail led directly over the book--and this was clambered over with some effort. Fourteen times the eccentric reptile stepped the length of the room in a straight path, turned deliberately at each end and on its return clambered over the book, which lay in a well cleared area. The book was removed and developments awaited. When the tortoise returned and reached the spot where the book had been, it paused in what appeared to be deep thought, then continued as before and for half an hour longer marched up and down, when it returned to its favourite corner (near the heater) to sleep.
In general outlines, size and in colouration, this species is very similar to the preceding. The enlarged scales or spines on the forearm that are so noticeable with the preceding tortoise, are absent from this species, the scales of the forearm being large and coarse, but of fairly uniform size. The head is narrower and the front lobe of the plastron slopes but gradually upward in place of the abrupt, upward inclination to be noted with the Gopher Tortoise.
Length of Carapace . . . . . 9 1/2 inches.
Width of Carapace . . . . . 7 inches.
Height of Carapace . . . . . 4 1/8 inches.
Length of Plastron . . . . . 9 1/2 inches.
Width of Plastron . . . . . 6 inches.
Width of Head . . . . . 1 1/2 inches.
Width of Forearm . . . . . 1 5/8 inches.
These measurements show much the same conformation as the preceding species--the considerably greater length over the width of the shell. By this character, the two species considered differ from Berlandier's Tortoise.
What reason the reptile has for these peculiar promenades, the writer is unable to guess. Certain it is that these creatures pace over certain areas with the regularity and persistence of caged cat animals.
Like the other species of tortoises inhabiting the United States, this reptile walks upon the claws only, of the front feet, while the hind feet are planted flat, exactly like the feet of an elephant. It is by no means sluggish in its actions, but its activity depends upon warmth. In a temperature of from 85 to 95 degrees Fahr., it can get over the ground as fast as a man at a slow walk. Unless kept very warm and dry, it never displays such vivacity. If these desert creatures be placed in damp quarters, though the temperature be high, they cease feeding and die within a few weeks. The writer's specimens are very fond of lettuce, celery, berries and bananas. They also eat clover and begin by picking out the blossoms.