Central Asian Tortoise
Scientific Name: Testudo horsfieldii
Habitat: rocky deserts, hillsides, steppes
Diet: weeds, grasses, twigs
Life span: 50+ years
Young: 2-6 eggs/clutch; 1-4 clutches/year
Size: average 650 grams (1.5 lbs)
Central Asian tortoises dig burrows that are several meters deep. These tortoises spend much of their life in their burrows only emerging in spring and fall to avoid extreme temperatures.
They only pass urine when it rains because water is then available to replenish their bodies.
Central Asian tortoises are exploited for the pet trade.
As part of Russian experimental space travel, a Central Asian tortoise was sent into space in 1968.
Learn more about this species:
These are some other websites that we think have more great information about this species.
Central Asian tortoise on Wikipedia
For More Information
Edmonton Valley Zoo
13315 Buena Vista Road (87th Avenue)
PO Box 2359
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2R7
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