![]() ![]() While captive breeding of tortoises has not been occurring long enough to be considered “domesticated,” they are bred selectively for color and temperament. Some species of pet tortoise may be considered semi-domesticated. Tortoises are taken from the wild for the pet trade, killed for their decorative shells, and their eggs are also stolen for consumption. Meat isn’t the only thing people are after. In fact, many of the extinct tortoise species were hunted to death. Humans have also eaten tortoise meat for centuries. ![]() Cars easily crack through tortoise shells, causing mortal injury more often than not. Land development destroys natural habitats and tortoise burrows, and frequently kills these animals in the process. Virtually everything we do impacts their population, and their life expectancy. Humans are a dire threat to the tortoise. Different species have different dietary makeups, for example some desert tortoises subside almost exclusively on cactus. In general, tortoises will consume grass, flowers, leafy plants, and cactus. Too much protein can cause shell deformities in tortoises. The vast majority of tortoise species are herbivores, and some will also eat worms or insects. Species are also found from Africa and Europe to Indonesia and Malaysia, as well as Madagascar and other islands. Tortoises are found in southern North America, Central America, and South America. They can also inhabit deserts, grasslands, mountainsides, scrub forests, and sand dunes. The vast majority of species are found in semiarid zones. With such a large variety of species, tortoises can be found in any number of habitats. Though it isn’t an exact science, the rings on a tortoise’s scutes can be used to estimate age, just like the rings of a tree! These scutes are made up of keratin, which is the same substance that your hair and fingernails are made out of.
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