T-Research

This page is dedicated to sharing information about turtles and tortoises. It includes information gathered by CAC students as they learn about ecology, earth history, anatomy and classification.
Note on Resource Citing

At the present there is no 1 commonly accepted method of citing your resources witnin a site that is published on the internet. However we have included footnote symbols within this document in order to document our sources. We have endevored to credit all those from whom we have obtained information. In the case that a reader would like to receive more information, or correct our citing style, please contact us at:

tortoise@cacegypt.org

Why do We Make Observations
of The Tortoises?

There are 2 basic types of data we keep for the Egyptian tortoises.
a. The first are observational notes, concerning the behavior and health of the tortoises. qualitative observations
b. The second type of data kept are the measurements of mass and length. quantative observations

It is very important that our observations be precise and accurate, because there is very little information known about the Egyptian Tortoise. You will be the experts on this species, and you will be providing this information to the world by the internet, just like "professional" scientists do.

You will make observations 1 time in a week. These notes will be made on on observation sheet and kept in your science binder, in the notes section. You will be using these notes in order to determine your tortoise's behavior pattern and preferences (likes-dislikes). Also you will observe weather your tortoise appears healthy or not. One very common disease this species gets is called "Runny Nose Syndrome" It has the symptoms similar to the common cold humans get. However if the tortoise is stressed or not getting proper care this disease could kill your tortoise, and pass the disease on.

The measurements of mass and length are collected once a week and logged in the tortoise database for your class, kept on the science computers. You are responsible for the data on your tortoise. This last data type is collected and used to analyze the health of the tortoise. The measurements are plotted on a chart developed by Dr. Oliphant Jackson and are referred to as Jackson Ratio.

Tortoise Shell

Fingerprints

The Egyptian tortoise has this distinctive feature on it's lower shell (plasteron). These marks, like the fingerprints on humans, are unique to each tortoise. Indivual tortoises can be identified according to these markings. Compare this tortoise A with the fingerprint on Tortoise B in the picture to the right.

Fingerprint photographs are taken next to a ruler to give an indication of the tortoise size, which cannot be determined by the photograph alone. Tortoise A is approximately 23 cm long, while Tortoise B is approximately 3.5 cm long.

More information on fingerprinting.

Tortoise Health

In 1970's an extensive study was conducted on similar tortoise which included recording the weights and measurements of a large number of healthy and sick Mediterranean tortoises. It was concluded from this study that like in humans, there is an optimum range for body rate, in healthy tortoises. This weight range could be used as a one gage to help determine the health of the tortoise.

This research was conductred by Dr. O. Jackson, who developed a graph on which he charted both average and minimum weight/length ratios for healthy tortoises. A caretaker could plot the weight/length data of a tortoise on the graph and get an idication of the health status of the animal. This weight/length ratio, now known as the "Jackson Ratio"

This graph is most appropriate for 2 species of Mediterranean tortoises, which unfortunately does not include the Egyptian tortoise (Testudo kleinmanni) Therefore the graph developed by Dr. Jackson can only be used to give us a rough approximation of the health status of the CAC tortoise population. It will be one of our goals to develop a graph that is more suitable for the Egyptian Tortoise.

Measuring the tortoise for length

The length is measured as a straight line from one end of the carapace to the opposite end. We use a caliper made of wood designed specifically for measuring the length of the tortoise.(see picture below) The length is measured to the 0.1 centimeter.

Measuring Mass of the Tortoise

An electronic balance is used and the tortoises are measured to the nearest gram in mass.

This is the caliper we use to measure the length of the tortoise carapace.

This page is dedicated to sharing information about turtles and tortoises. It includes information gathered by CAC students as they learn about ecology, earth history, anatomy and classification.	Note on Resource Citing At the present there is no 1 commonly accepted method of citing your resources witnin a site that is published on the internet. However we have included footnote symbols within this document in order to document our sources. We have endevored to credit all those from whom we have obtained information. In the case that a reader would like to receive more information, or correct our citing style, please contact us at: tortoise@cacegypt.org

Why do We Make Observations of The Tortoises? There are 2 basic types of data we keep for the Egyptian tortoises. a. The first are observational notes, concerning the behavior and health of the tortoises. qualitative observations b. The second type of data kept are the measurements of mass and length. quantative observations It is very important that our observations be precise and accurate, because there is very little information known about the Egyptian Tortoise. You will be the experts on this species, and you will be providing this information to the world by the internet, just like "professional" scientists do. You will make observations 1 time in a week. These notes will be made on on observation sheet and kept in your science binder, in the notes section. You will be using these notes in order to determine your tortoise's behavior pattern and preferences (likes-dislikes). Also you will observe weather your tortoise appears healthy or not. One very common disease this species gets is called "Runny Nose Syndrome" It has the symptoms similar to the common cold humans get. However if the tortoise is stressed or not getting proper care this disease could kill your tortoise, and pass the disease on. The measurements of mass and length are collected once a week and logged in the tortoise database for your class, kept on the science computers. You are responsible for the data on your tortoise. This last data type is collected and used to analyze the health of the tortoise. The measurements are plotted on a chart developed by Dr. Oliphant Jackson and are referred to as Jackson Ratio.
Tortoise Shell

Fingerprints
The Egyptian tortoise has this distinctive feature on it's lower shell (plasteron). These marks, like the fingerprints on humans, are unique to each tortoise. Indivual tortoises can be identified according to these markings. Compare this tortoise A with the fingerprint on Tortoise B in the picture to the right. Fingerprint photographs are taken next to a ruler to give an indication of the tortoise size, which cannot be determined by the photograph alone. Tortoise A is approximately 23 cm long, while Tortoise B is approximately 3.5 cm long. More information on fingerprinting.

Tortoise Health
In 1970's an extensive study was conducted on similar tortoise which included recording the weights and measurements of a large number of healthy and sick Mediterranean tortoises. It was concluded from this study that like in humans, there is an optimum range for body rate, in healthy tortoises. This weight range could be used as a one gage to help determine the health of the tortoise. This research was conductred by Dr. O. Jackson, who developed a graph on which he charted both average and minimum weight/length ratios for healthy tortoises. A caretaker could plot the weight/length data of a tortoise on the graph and get an idication of the health status of the animal. This weight/length ratio, now known as the "Jackson Ratio" This graph is most appropriate for 2 species of Mediterranean tortoises, which unfortunately does not include the Egyptian tortoise (Testudo kleinmanni) Therefore the graph developed by Dr. Jackson can only be used to give us a rough approximation of the health status of the CAC tortoise population. It will be one of our goals to develop a graph that is more suitable for the Egyptian Tortoise.	Measuring the tortoise for length The length is measured as a straight line from one end of the carapace to the opposite end. We use a caliper made of wood designed specifically for measuring the length of the tortoise.(see picture below) The length is measured to the 0.1 centimeter. Measuring Mass of the Tortoise An electronic balance is used and the tortoises are measured to the nearest gram in mass.
This is the caliper we use to measure the length of the tortoise carapace.