Turtles & Tortoises of the World (Of the World Series)

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Exploitation, carelessness, and greed: these words describe the cruelty humans have displayed towards turtles and tortoises. Whole populations of giant tortoises perished at the hands of sailors in the Galapagos, and even today, five of the seven species of marine turtle are threatened with extinction. With richly detailed photos, and an in-depth text, take a close-up look at the evolution, distribution, behavior, breeding, physical characteristics, and classification of turtles and tortoises throughout the world. You'll learn about the form and function of their distinctively patterned shells, including their role in repelling predators; when and why chelonians stepped onto land for the first time; and the unique biology that allows turtles to live comfortably in salt water. Pictures show a variety of species, including musk, pond, painted, and box turtles; yellow and red-footed tortoises; African spurred tortoises; and diamondback terrapins. From the spikes on their shells to the soft underbelly that's rarely exposed, lumbering on land and swimming gracefully in the sea, it's a complete view of these endangered animals. 192 pages (63 in color), 48 b/w illus., 6 X 9 1/4.

FROM THE CRITICS

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