Geometric Tortoise

Taxobox
name = Geometric Tortoise


status = EN | status_system = IUCN2.3
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Reptilia
ordo = Testudines
familia = Testudinidae
genus = "Psammobates"
species = "P. geometricus"
binomial = "Psammobates geometricus"
binomial_authority = (Linnaeus, 1758 [http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=202116] )The Geometric Tortoise is found in a small section in the South-Western Cape South Africa. The tortoise can grow up to 6 inches. When the female needs a nest to lay her eggs in, she digs a hole and covers it with vegetation. The geometric tortoise is endangered, and it is threatened by lost of habitat due to farming and by the South African people who eat its eggs and capture adults who are killed for their shells which are used as decoration. Other mammals also prey on the tortoise and its eggs. The South African government has set aside land for these tortoise and has made laws about capturing it and its eggs.

References

* [http://library.thinkquest.org/J0112124/geometric_tortoise.htm Library.thinkquest.org entry]