The Argentine giant tortoise
The Argentine giant tortoise is related to the red and yellow-legged tortoises Tie. However, research from Yale University shows that they are likely to be the closest blood relatives of Galapagos tortoises. The hatchlings are very similar to the sulcata, but the carapace is wider and the edges are more upturned. As it grows, its body color will tend to become darker. Due to differences in their distribution areas, Argentine giant tortoises still vary in size and color.
Argentine giant tortoises have undergone great changes in shape and size. Currently, there are two main subspecies recorded, one of which is called donosobarrosi , the body size is relatively large, oval-shaped and distributed more southerly. The other type is called petersi, which is small and slender and distributed more square. Today, it has a common name of chilensis, but some examples are found in this kind of turtle. The question of what happened remains unchanged.
In any case, the Argentine giant tortoise is very medium in size, about 20cm~40cm. Its yellow-brown carapace often has no features, or only There are just some dark brown freckles on the obvious growth lines. Its head and feet are brown. The front feet have no characteristics, but there are some thick scales on them, and there are thick moss knots at the roots of the hind feet.
The gender of the Argentinian giant tortoise is difficult to distinguish. Male turtles are often smaller and lighter than female turtles. Only their tails are longer and slender than female turtles, and they have the same habitat. Compared with female turtles, male turtles may have wider heads and more obvious body colors. However, the thick scales on their front feet tend to be dark brown, while female turtles are more yellowish brown. In the natural environment , the female turtle will lay 2 eggs (sometimes 6) in February or March. It seems to take up to a year to hatch in the natural environment, but only four eggs are needed in the case of artificial incubation. By the end of the month, the carapace of hatchlings looks flat and round, and is almost uniformly brown. Because they hardly move in the winter, they grow very slowly and may not reach sexual maturity until they are at least 12 years old. .
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