Bow-Sprit Tortoise: Found in Dry, Desert Like Environments

The Bow-Sprit Tortoise, also known as the Angulate Tortoise, originates from Africa, and is a relatively good size compared to the other tortoises around. They are generally found in South Africa because they like and are adapted to the dry, arid regions and environment. In fact, the Bow-Sprit Tortoise does not do well in humid environments, and would prefer the dry, desert-like environment of South Africa anytime.

The Bow-Sprit Tortoise is a relatively moderate size of a tortoise with males averaging at about 10 - 20 centimeters in length; they will weigh approximately one kilogram.

The Bow-Sprit Tortoise has a rather unique shell which is obviously used for a defense mechanism; in fact, the older that they become, the thicker their shell will grow in order to protect them from their predators. The top of their carapace is usually a tan color. Males have more of a defense than the females as the plastron, the underside of their shell, is concave, and they even have a throat-shield to protect them, and act as a weapon when needed.

While humid conditions can cause serious health problems to the Bow-Sprit Tortoise, they also require and need water. Bow-Sprit Tortoises will drink water through their noses, and this specimen of tortoise will also occasionally soak in the water or go for a quick dip; in general, they do not swim in the water.

In the wild, the Bow-Sprit Tortoise have quite a broad diet; their diet generally consists of plants though as they will generally feed on grasses, plants, and cactuses. Perhaps, the most common plant in their diet is the cactus, and they can consume quite a large variety of cactuses.

In their living environment, the males of the Bow-Sprit Tortoise can be quite territorial, and at times can be quite aggressive in defending their territories. However, at times they will be willing to share their territory with other males; in some cases, more than one male will share a territory. Still, they may become aggressive and territorial if another male was to challenge the territory.

The population of this tortoise is heavily impacted and affected by the animals and organisms around them which share their habitat. For example, they have to compete with some of the animals for food, and sometimes other animals will rid the essential diets of the tortoise which causes their population to decline due to the lack of food.

The Bow-Sprit Tortoise is a beautiful tortoise to see, and their adaptations to their living environment are rather incredible although their population is heavily impacted by those around them. It is important to regulate and keep their environment at its best in order to continue their population so that they won't have to face extinction or any other horrible fate.