英和和英

出典:『Wikipedia』 (2011/04/06 01:23 UTC 版)

英語による解説

引用

The pancake tortoise, or Malacochersus tornieri, is a flat-shelled tortoise native to Tanzania,and Kenya. The distribution of Malacochersus tornieri has also been reported in Zambia by CHANSA and WAGNER (2006). Its name is derived from the flat shape of its shell. It is the only member of the genus Malacochersus. The species inhabits the Somalia-Masai floristic region, an arid semi-desert characterized by Acacia-Commiphora bushland and Brachystegia woodland in upland localities (WHITE 1983, BROADLEY & HOWELL 1991). It occurs in dry savannah of low altitude at small rocky hills of the crystalline basement. Unlike most tortoises, its shell is flat, flexible, and provides the tortoise less defense against predators. The breeding seasons for this tortoise is in January and February. For protection, the Pancake Tortoise hides in small crevices, possible because of the flat shape of its shell. The carapace is brown, frequently with a variable pattern of radiating dark lines on each scute, helping to camouflage the tortoise in its natural dry habitat. The plastron is pale yellow with dark brown seams and light yellow rays, and the head, limbs and tail are yellow-brown. Its bizarre, flattened, pancake-like profile makes this tortoise a sought-after animal in zoological and private collections.