Psammobates
Encyclopedia
Psammobates is a genus of tortoise
. This genus contains three member species, all of which are indigenous
to Southern Africa
.
Tortoise
Tortoises are a family of land-dwelling reptiles of the order of turtles . Like their marine cousins, the sea turtles, tortoises are shielded from predators by a shell. The top part of the shell is the carapace, the underside is the plastron, and the two are connected by the bridge. The tortoise...
. This genus contains three member species, all of which are indigenous
Indigenous (ecology)
In biogeography, a species is defined as native to a given region or ecosystem if its presence in that region is the result of only natural processes, with no human intervention. Every natural organism has its own natural range of distribution in which it is regarded as native...
to Southern Africa
Southern Africa
Southern Africa is the southernmost region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. Within the region are numerous territories, including the Republic of South Africa ; nowadays, the simpler term South Africa is generally reserved for the country in English.-UN...
.
Species
- Geometric Tortoise, Psammobates geometricus
- Serrated Star Tortoise, Psammobates oculiferPsammobates oculiferThe serrated tortoise, Psammobates oculifer, is a species of tortoise and one of three members of the genus, Psammobates. It is found in countries of Southern Africa including: Botswana, Namibia and the Republic of South Africa...
- African Tent Tortoise, Psammobates tentorius