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Spider Tortoise (Pyxis arachnoides) 

Its name was inspired by the pattern on its shell, which is reminiscent of a spiderweb! The roughly 6-inch (15-centimeter)-long reptile inhabits arid forests along the southern coast of Madagascar, where it feeds on leaves, insects, and the insect larva within cow poop! Unfortunately, the species is threatened due in part to habitat loss and the illegal pet trade.

Photograph: Skip Russell, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0, flickr

via: American Museum of Natural History

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Submarine with periscope

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https://www.reddit.com/r/interestingasfuck/comments/ypj4ty/leatherback_sea_turtle_the_largest_turtle_in_the

Magnifacent.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AnimalsBeingDerps/comments/ypefrq/dont_stare_at_me_like_that_your_food_is_up_there

Larj friend

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Turtle's all the way down.

As far as the eye can see

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Toes and I hope you all have a happy Friday!!! Don’t forget to eat your greens and stay hydrated 🐢

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Please

Tell me about your D&D Tortle characters

I want to know how they're doing

Are they eating well? Are they staying hydrated? Are they taking their calcium supplements?

#D&D #dungeons and dragons #dnd #tortle #critical role #critrole #dimension 20 #d20

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https://www.reddit.com/r/aww/comments/x16gn2/oscar_the_tortoise/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

Couldn't find a real cave made do.

https://www.reddit.com/r/wholesomememes/comments/x0r2v8/helping_hoomans/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

So kind.

Torts are good people

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A monstrous turtle emerges from the muck.

Its gigantic.

Look closely - a typically-sized Midwestern turtle sits next to its foot.

It must be close to its size-limit, with a possible 30-inch diameter shell and weighing well in an excess of 100 pounds. Its possible that this beast is 40+ years old.

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this image is slaughtering me

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trying to decide if i'd rather be a tortoise or a turtle. on the one hand I prefer dry land, on the other hand turtles can breathe out of their cloacae so. it's tricky

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Please allow me to introduce my Tiffany turtle. 🥰 🐢

Sooo, I recently had this reblog to grace my dash with an awesome crochet 'stained glass square' by Cookie Snob Crochet.

The square was still floating through my daydreams when the dock turtles (yellow belly slider terrapins) arrived for their afternoon snack.

I really couldn't NOT do the crochet, right? I mean, just crochet the stained glass circle part and then cap it for a shallow bowl shape.

My Tiffany's feets were fashioned after the 'baby sea turtle' by Whistle and Ivy. I think they worked perfectly for this project.

Tiff's belly was made flat and stitched with a wide hem on her front side to better display her signature 'yellow belly'. 🐢

Thank you! 😁

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Weirdo Wednesday

Welcome back! This week’s weirdo is…

The leatherback sea turtle: Dermochelys coriacea

Coming in a whopping 2,200 pounds, the leatherback is the largest turtle species in the world! They also have the widest distribution and can be found in warm and temperate waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans, but they have been seen as far north as Alaska! While this nomadic weirdo is not limited in terms of traveling, they always return to the same spots for nesting. Nesting takes place in tropical areas like Puerto Rico, Florida, and the Virgin Islands. The leatherback also holds the record for deepest diving turtle, at almost 4,000ft below (deeper than some marine mammals!). 

Is that skin or shell?

This species of turtle looks a little different from others. While most sea turtles have scales and an exposed shell, this weirdo has a thick layer of what looks like leather covering its body and shell. They have interlocking dermal bones under their skin protecting their shell and bones. The reason for this fascinating adaptation is that the leatherback is better equipped for long distance foraging trips in colder waters. The theory is supported by their extra long, paddle-shaped front flippers. This is how they can hold the deepest dive record, and travel to Alaska! But this isn’t the only weird thing about them. Have you ever seen inside their mouth?

You may notice that they lack chewing plates seen in other turtles, which limits their prey from hard-bodied organisms to those with soft, gelatinous ones. The spines (papille) go all the way down their throat and protect the turtle from digesting venom. That’s right! This weirdo feeds on jellies and salps! And they eat a lot of them.

Conservation

It’s not easy being a sea turtle. Your first moments of life are a mad dash to the ocean, outrunning predators! Assuming they survive to adulthood (most hatchlings don’t), their problems only increase. Lot’s of turtles become bycatch to shrimp trawls and gillnets. Human activity has caused a significant amount of habitat loss. Nesting grounds have been reduced as more people want to stay at beachside hotels, and coral reefs where they would normally feed are slowly dying off. There’s also still a huge problem of poaching eggs and illegal turtle trade. Plastic pollution has caused problems as well since a plastic bag vaguely resembled a tasty jelly to a leatherback. All of these issues have caused a rapid population decline and the Pacific population is most at risk of going extinct. The WWF has been working with fishermen to reduce bycatch and encourage local communities to protect nesting grounds. Due to. their nomadic nature, protection isn’t easy, but it’s necessary if they’re to continue controlling the jellyfish population. 

I know this was a sad one but there is hope! Check out this video of a local who made a difference in his area for the sea turtles!

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Albino baby turtle,

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Yey! He's going to be ok! I was worried about him. :)

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https://www.reddit.com/r/aww/comments/wcprlx/this_tortoise_having_the_time_of_its_life_with/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

Pure bliss. Getting that hard to hit spot taken care of.

https://www.reddit.com/r/aww/comments/wd3ynl/oc_found_the_tortoise_sleeping_in_the_paper/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

Fits. Sits.

https://www.reddit.com/r/aww/comments/wd3vdm/oc_she_did_this_for_hours_shed_free_herself/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

Gotta practice to become a master escapist.

Exhibits A, B, and C for torts being the best