Why is it called a spider tortoise?

How did the spider tortoise get its name?

It is named for the web-like pattern of yellow lines on its dark brown or black carapace. The spider tortoise, named for the yellow, web-like pattern of its shell, is the smallest of four tortoises that live only on the island of Madagascar.

What is the shell of a turtle called?

Tortoises and turtles are the only reptiles with tough, bony shells. The shell is like a suit of armour that protects the body. It has an outer layer of horny shields, called scutes, and an inner layer of bony plates. The domed top of the shell is called the carapace, while the flat layer underneath the animal’s belly is called the plastron.

What does a spider tortoise look like?

The spider tortoise is named for the web-like pattern of yellow lines on its dark brown or black carapace, or shell. It has a dark head with yellow spots and a yellow, semi-hinged plastron that allows the tortoise to pull its head and front legs into its shell for protection. The tortoise’s legs and tail are generally brown.

Where do spider tortoises live?

The critically endangered spider tortoise lives only in Madagascar, where it is the smallest of four native tortoise species. It is named for the web-like pattern of yellow lines on its dark brown or black carapace.

What is the bottom part of a turtle shell called?

What is the bottom part of a turtle shell called? What is a carapace on a tortoise? The carapace is the dorsal (back), convex part of the shell structure of a turtle, consisting of the animal’s ossified ribs fused with the dermal bone.

What are the scutes of a turtle called?

These scutes have a bony base and are known as osteoderms. In turtles and tortoises, the entire carapace, or upper shell, is a structure of fused scutes. The scutes running down the center of the shell along the spine are called central scutes.

What kind of tortoise has yellow lines on its head?

Conservation Status. The spider tortoise is named for the web-like pattern of yellow lines on its dark brown or black carapace, or shell. It has a dark head with yellow spots and a yellow, semi-hinged plastron that allows the tortoise to pull its head and front legs into its shell for protection. The tortoise’s legs and tail are generally brown.

What are the different types of scutes in a turtle’s shell?

The scutes running down the center of the shell along the spine are called central scutes. The next rows of scutes on either side of the spine are called costal scutes, and the outer scutes are known as marginal scutes. The plastron or underside of the turtle’s shell is also made up of scutes. Is Amazon actually giving you the best price?

What is a turtle’s shell made of?

A turtle’s shell consists of a carapace, which protects the back and upper parts of a turtle, and a plastron, which covers the turtle’s chest and undersides. The shell is made of bone and is fused to the turtle’s backbones and ribs.

What is the plastral of a turtle?

Plastral view Chelodina canni. The plastron is the nearly flat part of the shell structure of a turtle, what one would call the belly or ventral surface of the shell. It also includes within its structure the anterior and posterior bridge struts and the bridge of the shell.

Do turtles live inside their shells?

A turtle’s shell is not just a cover, but it’s a part of its skeleton. Contrary to the thought that a turtle can live outside its shell, this part of the body is composed of fused bones such as ribs, spine, and breastbone, and therefore the turtle is connected to its shell.

What are the main characteristics of a turtle?

The main characteristic of turtles is the shell, which is unique to turtles and not found in any other vertebrates. A turtle’s shell consists of a carapace, which protects the back and upper parts of a turtle, and a plastron, which covers the turtle’s chest and undersides.

What is another name for a turtle?

Alternative Titles: Chelonia, Testudines. Turtle, (order Testudines), any reptile with a body encased in a bony shell, including tortoises. Although numerous animals, from invertebrates to mammals, have evolved shells, none has an architecture like that of turtles. The turtle shell has a top (carapace) and a bottom (plastron).

What is a turtle shell?

Turtle, (order Testudines), any reptile with a body encased in a bony shell, including tortoises. Although numerous animals, from invertebrates to mammals, have evolved shells, none has an architecture like that of turtles. The turtle shell has a top and a bottom .

What is a turtle summary?

For the article summary, see Turtle summary . Turtle, (order Testudines), any reptile with a body encased in a bony shell, including tortoises. Although numerous animals, from invertebrates to mammals, have evolved shells, none has an architecture like that of turtles.

What is the structure of a turtle?

Turtle (order Testudines), any reptile with a body encased in a bony shell, including tortoises. Although numerous animals, from invertebrates to mammals, have evolved shells, none has an architecture like that of turtles. The turtle shell has a top (carapace) and a bottom (plastron).

What is a red-footed tortoise?

Also known as the red-legged tortoise, the red-footed tortoise is a small species of tortoise that has a brightly colored plastron. The legs of this type of turtle are normally a yellow and red color, hence its name. The shell is usually about five to six inches in length.

What kind of tortoise has yellow lines on its shell?

On their shell’s sharp scutes, Indian tortoises exhibit a star pattern. The scutes have yellow or white lines, which converge the scutes’ edges to the center. Like the Greek tortoises, this species measures 8 inches. As the name suggests, you can identify a red-footed tortoise with its red markings all over the feet and face.

What does a yellow-footed tortoise look like?

Yellow-footed tortoises mate throughout the year and will leave their offspring to fend for themselves. Yellow-footed tortoises have dark brown to yellow shells with black edges to the carapace. These tortoises have relatively long bodies compared to their width. On their head and limbs, the skin is black with orange or yellow scales.

How can you tell a Hermann tortoise by its color?

You can tell a Hermann tortoise by its yellow and brown colors. Besides measuring between 5 and 7 inches, it also has yellow lines over its dark shell and between the scutes. It has more yellow spots all over its brown skin.

What kind of tortoise has a yellow and brown shell?

This tortoise has a yellow and brown shell with beautiful patterns. The Hermann’s Tortoise is from the Mediterranean Basin and is a small tortoise measuring 8 inches in length. These tortoises are unique for their single, horn-like claw found at the tips of their tails.