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OLD TIMER
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| Photo Information |
Copyright: Gareth Lusty (theLizardMan)
![Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 33 W: 0 N: 93]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/s-n-g.gif) (421) |
| Genre: Animals |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2005-08-14 |
| Categories: Reptiles |
| Exposure: f/4, 1/125 seconds |
| More Photo Info: [view] |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2005-09-04 7:26 |
| Viewed: 1999 |
| Points: 4 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Heres another cool critter from the Auckland zoo.
Of the original 14 subspecies of Galapagos tortoises, three are extinct. The remaining 11 subspecies are endangered. Im not sure what kind this one is or age.
Galapagos tortoises have brown shells marked with black patterns. They can pull their heads, tails and legs completely inside their shells. There are two different shell shapes: domed and saddle-backed. Saddle-backed tortoises have longer necks and front legs, which enable them to reach vegetation that is higher off the ground.Galapagos tortoises weigh between 100 and 600 pounds. They measure between four and five feet across the curvature of their shell.
Galapagos tortoises can live more than 150 years. They have one of the longest life spans of all vertebrates (animals with backbones).
Galapagos tortoises occur on the Galapagos Islands in the eastern Pacific Ocean, about 600 miles off the coast of Equador.
The environment and climate vary from island to island. Saddle-backed tortoises inhabit the hotter, drier islands with sparse vegetation, whereas domed tortoises inhabit the cooler, wetter islands with lush ground vegetation.
Galapagos tortoises are herbivores. Their diet consists mostly of cactus, fruits, vines, grasses and other vegetation. Tortoises can store food and water so well that they can go without eating or drinking for up to one year!
Like other reptiles, Galapagos tortoises are cold-blooded. They spend much of their day soaking up the sun to warm themselves. When the sun goes down and the temperature cools, tortoises sleep partially submerged in mud, water or brush to keep warm. Tortoises are extremely peaceful creatures. |
sway, LordPotty has marked this note useful
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- sway
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 303 W: 85 N: 308]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(1224) - [2005-09-05 5:27]
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HI Gareth,
NIce shot,
He is getting old. He is so big.
Nice to see him out and about, last time I saw him he was inside.
Nice shot.
:)
Great capture of the Gapalasog tortoise Gareth! (Did I spell that rong?)
It would have been hard to get right in that bright sun but you did well.
With photoshop you could darken the shell slightly.I still haven't really sussed it out myself properly yet though.
That microsoft digital image suite will do it too.
Cheers
Steve
