Testudo graeca, spur-thighed tortoise

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Testudo graeca, spur-thighed tortoise

Photograph of what is probably a spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) specimen collected by Gilbert White (1720-93)

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Media ID 8580631

© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10707893

1720 1793 18th Century Cryptodira Gilbert Hard Hidden Patchwork Reptile Reptiles Reptilia Sauropsid Sauropsida Shell Specimen Testudines Testudinid Testudinidae Testudo Tortoise Greek Tortoise Spur Thighed Tortoise Testudo Graeca

EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph showcases a historic specimen of the Testudo graeca, or spur-thighed tortoise, a fascinating reptile belonging to the Testudinidae family and the order Testudines. The tortoise, with its intricately patterned, hard, brown shell and long, curved beak, appears to be in a state of quiet repose, its spurred hind legs tucked beneath its body. This remarkable creature was collected during the 18th century by the renowned naturalist and clergyman, Gilbert White (1720-1793). White, a pioneering figure in the study of natural history, meticulously documented the natural world around him, leaving behind a rich legacy of observations and specimens. The tortoise's patchwork shell, adorned with a complex arrangement of brown and yellow blotches, is a testament to the intricacy and beauty of the natural world. Its spurred hind legs, a distinctive feature of the Testudo graeca, are hidden from view in this studio shot, but serve an important defensive function. As a member of the Sauropsida, a group of reptiles and their descendants, and the suborder Cryptodira, which includes turtles and their relatives, the spur-thighed tortoise is part of a vast and ancient lineage that stretches back to the early Mesozoic Era. The tortoise's anapsid condition, characterized by the absence of a secondary palate and a single opening in the skull, is a reminder of its evolutionary history. This photograph offers a glimpse into the past, transporting us back to a time when the natural world was a source of endless fascination and discovery. It serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and documenting the natural world for future generations to appreciate and learn from.

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