The geometric tortoise’s scientific name is Psammobates geometricus, as first described by the Swedish naturalist and zoologist, Carl Linnaeus in 1758. These are beautiful animals with geometric patterns on their carapace. This geometric pattern has given rise to their name. These species are listed as Critically Endangered and have lost habitat in the Renosterveld.They are mostly spotted in the areas of the southwestern Cape province and the Ceres valley, near large reservoirs or reserves, and farms. These tortoises are mostly seen in the Renosterveld, which has a very terrestrial and Mediterranean climate. The South African geometric tortoise’s lifespan is long and is believed to live up to the age of 30 years or more. The male is smaller than the female. The geometric tortoise diet consists of fruits, grasses, and flowers.The male geometric tortoise grows into an adult at the age of five to six years, while the female might mature at the age of seven or eight years. They have a hard and strong carapace that protects them from predators. The carapace (shell) has yellow, brown, and black geometric patterns that enable one to identify them quickly.If you enjoyed reading this article, then do check out our snapping turtle facts and bog turtle facts.
Fun Geometric Tortoise Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Fruits, flowers, plants
What do they eat? Herbivores and scavengers
Average litter size? 2-8 eggs
How much do they weigh? 7-21 oz (200-600 g)
How long are they? 5-6 in (13-15 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Yellow, brown, black
Skin Type Hard scales
What were their main threats? Hawks, Baboons, Crows, Pigs
What is their conservation status? Critically Endangered
Where you’ll find them? Semi-humid Regions
Locations South Africa
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Psammobates
Class Reptilia
Family Testudinidae
Geometric Tortoise Interesting FactsWhat type of animal is a geometric tortoise?Geometric tortoises are beautiful reptiles found in South Africa. These species are under Critically Endangered status and have lost their habitat in the Renosterveld. The geometric tortoise’s scientific name is Psammobates geometricus.What class of animal does a geometric tortoise belong to?These tortoises belong to the class of Reptilia and the family Testudinidae. They are from the genus Psammobates and the phylum Chordata. They are under the order of Testudines and suborder of Cryptodira.How many geometric tortoises are there in the world?The exact number of these tortoises is not known, but these South African species are believed to number around 2,000-3,000.Where does a geometric tortoise live?Geometric tortoises are native to the wilds of South Africa. They are mostly spotted in the areas of the southwestern Cape province and the Ceres valley, near large reservoirs or reserves, and farms. They are also found in north Piketberg and south Gordon’s Bay. In the east, they are seen near the Breede river valley.What is a geometric tortoise’s habitat?This South African tortoise’s habitat is the natural environment with green vegetation with low-level coastal land areas. Such areas are more prone to fire and can be in humid and arid regions in the south of Cape province. These tortoises are mostly seen in the Renosterveld, which has a very terrestrial and Mediterranean climate. These fynbos areas or shrubland are even endangered as most of the wild area is being taken over by human activities.Who do geometric tortoises live with?Geometric tortoises are independent animals and live life on their own from the very first day they hatch.How long does a geometric tortoise live?The South African geometric tortoise’s lifespan is long and is believed to live up to the age of 30 years. This life expectancy varies according to the surrounding habitat because these are Endangered species now, mostly due to human activities and natural calamities due to climate change.How do they reproduce?The geometric tortoise, Psammobates geometricus, is generally supposed to breed during the summer season. The female tortoise can reproduce multiple times. The female and male tortoises reproduce sexually. The eggs are laid in the latter half of the year, from August to December, while nesting can be spotted during the months of May and June. It depends upon the mating and the female can lay eggs in clutches annually. Each clutch has two to eight eggs and hatches in a time period of four to seven months. The newborn hatchlings can be seen in the early months from March to May. Parental care is not evident in these species and hatchlings are independent. The male geometric tortoise grows into an adult at the age of five to six years, while the female might mature at the age of seven to eight years.What is their conservation status?The geometric tortoise is classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. The natural habitats of these tortoises are being damaged and turned into farmlands. This has drastically affected the wildlife environment as well as the population of these species. The international trade of these tortoise species has not been marked commercial by the CITES in regard to their better development in the population.Geometric Tortoise Fun FactsWhat do geometric tortoises look like?The geometric tortoise is usually like any other tortoise. They have a hard and strong carapace that protects them from their predators. The carapace has yellow, brown, and black geometric patterns that enable one to identify them quickly. This patterned carapace camouflages well with the natural surroundings. They exhibit sexual dimorphism and the male can be differentiated from the female as they are smaller and have long tails, whereas, the females are larger than the males. The head, tail, neck, and limbs are yellow with black or brown spots on the head and tail.How cute are they?The geometric tortoise, Psammobates geometricus, is a Critically Endangered species and less obvious to ordinary people. Their geometric shell makes them cuter and attracts viewers as they have a yellow, brown, and black geometric pattern on their shells.How do they communicate?The communication in these tortoises is less evident as they are an isolated species because of their lost habitat. The tortoise generally communicates using their olfactory, visual, and chemical cues. They even show some physical body gestures. One common among all tortoises is to pull their heads into their shell in order to protect themselves.How big is a geometric tortoise?The geometric tortoise is 5-6 in (13-15 cm) long. The male is smaller than the female in size.How fast can a geometric tortoise move?These tortoises walk on their four limbs and are quadrupedal. They are known for their slow walks and, in a few cases, can make quick movements. Their exact speed is unknown.How much does a geometric tortoise weigh?The geometric tortoise weighs around 7-21 oz (200-600 g). The largest tortoise spotted was a female with a weight of 21 oz (600 g) and the heaviest male spotted was 9.5 oz (270 g).What are the male and female names of the species?The male and female do not have any sex-specific names.What would you call a baby geometric tortoise?The babies of geometric tortoises are called hatchlings.What do they eat?The geometric tortoise’s diet is fruits, grasses, and flowers. They feed on food like different ground grasses, such as Themeda triandra, Eragrostis curvula, and Cynodon dactylon. They are even spotted eating the shells of snails, mollusks, and soft chicken bones when kept in captivity, but they mostly feed on green vegetation and different plants.Are they dangerous?No, these tortoises are not dangerous and are shy members of the tortoise family by their behavior, unlike turtles. They can bite you and it can be painful, but it does not require any medical care. Though less information is available in this regard as these tortoises are themselves Critically Endangered species. They have a number of predators, such as hawks, jackals, crows, baboons, and pigs.Would they make a good pet?These tortoises are Critically Endangered according to the IUCN and their commercial trade is not allowed by the CITES. So, with restrictions, they would not even be allowed to be kept as pets in your home. These tortoises are only kept in captivity by nature conservationists.Did you know…Through the behavior of these species, they are noticed to be diurnal animals. They mostly rest during the hot climate season when they are very lethargic and very slow in their movements. They are seen feeding during dawn before sunrise and at dusk when there is light because they avoid the hot weather.The Indian star tortoise is sometimes considered the most beautiful tortoise.Tortoises spend most of their lives on land, whereas, turtles spend their lives in water. In short, all tortoises can be turtles, but not all turtles are tortoises. Turtles are omnivores, eating both plants and animals, whereas tortoises are herbivores.How did the geometric tortoise get its name?The geometric tortoise got its name from the geometric patterns on its carapace.Why is the geometric tortoise Endangered?Geometric tortoises are Critically Endangered according to the IUCN. The major effect on their population decline is habitat loss due to human activities and wildfires. Secondly, they have many predators, which makes it difficult for them to survive. Though females can reproduce multiple times, the decline in population mating is also less evident in them. Their habitat is being converted into cities and the plant species they feed on are either cut down or catch wildfires. The loss of habitat, in Renosterveld, along with the loss of their diet, such as plants and grasses, has drastically affected their development.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other reptiles from our articles about box turtle interesting facts and map turtle fun facts for kids.You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable geometric tortoise coloring pages.Second image by Dr. Alexey Yakovlev.
What type of animal is a geometric tortoise?
Geometric tortoises are beautiful reptiles found in South Africa. These species are under Critically Endangered status and have lost their habitat in the Renosterveld. The geometric tortoise’s scientific name is Psammobates geometricus.
Fun Geometric Tortoise Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Fruits, flowers, plants
What do they eat? Herbivores and scavengers
Average litter size? 2-8 eggs
How much do they weigh? 7-21 oz (200-600 g)
How long are they? 5-6 in (13-15 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Yellow, brown, black
Skin Type Hard scales
What were their main threats? Hawks, Baboons, Crows, Pigs
What is their conservation status? Critically Endangered
Where you’ll find them? Semi-humid Regions
Locations South Africa
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Psammobates
Class Reptilia
Family Testudinidae
Fun Geometric Tortoise Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Fruits, flowers, plants
What do they eat? Herbivores and scavengers
Average litter size? 2-8 eggs
How much do they weigh? 7-21 oz (200-600 g)
How long are they? 5-6 in (13-15 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Yellow, brown, black
Skin Type Hard scales
What were their main threats? Hawks, Baboons, Crows, Pigs
What is their conservation status? Critically Endangered
Where you’ll find them? Semi-humid Regions
Locations South Africa
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Psammobates
Class Reptilia
Family Testudinidae
Fun Geometric Tortoise Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Fruits, flowers, plants
What do they eat? Herbivores and scavengers
Average litter size? 2-8 eggs
How much do they weigh? 7-21 oz (200-600 g)
How long are they? 5-6 in (13-15 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Yellow, brown, black
Skin Type Hard scales
What were their main threats? Hawks, Baboons, Crows, Pigs
What is their conservation status? Critically Endangered
Where you’ll find them? Semi-humid Regions
Locations South Africa
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Psammobates
Class Reptilia
Family Testudinidae
Fun Geometric Tortoise Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Fruits, flowers, plants
What do they eat? Herbivores and scavengers
Average litter size? 2-8 eggs
How much do they weigh? 7-21 oz (200-600 g)
How long are they? 5-6 in (13-15 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Yellow, brown, black
Skin Type Hard scales
What were their main threats? Hawks, Baboons, Crows, Pigs
What is their conservation status? Critically Endangered
Where you’ll find them? Semi-humid Regions
Locations South Africa
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Psammobates
Class Reptilia
Family Testudinidae
What do they prey on? Fruits, flowers, plants
What do they eat? Herbivores and scavengers
Average litter size? 2-8 eggs
How much do they weigh? 7-21 oz (200-600 g)
How long are they? 5-6 in (13-15 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Yellow, brown, black
Skin Type Hard scales
What were their main threats? Hawks, Baboons, Crows, Pigs
What is their conservation status? Critically Endangered
Where you’ll find them? Semi-humid Regions
Locations South Africa
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Psammobates
Class Reptilia
Family Testudinidae
What do they prey on? Fruits, flowers, plants
What do they eat? Herbivores and scavengers
Average litter size? 2-8 eggs
How much do they weigh? 7-21 oz (200-600 g)
How long are they? 5-6 in (13-15 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Yellow, brown, black
Skin Type Hard scales
What were their main threats? Hawks, Baboons, Crows, Pigs
What is their conservation status? Critically Endangered
What do they prey on?
Fruits, flowers, plants
What do they eat?
Herbivores and scavengers
Average litter size?
2-8 eggs
How much do they weigh?
7-21 oz (200-600 g)
How long are they?
5-6 in (13-15 cm)
How tall are they?
N/A
What do they look like?
Yellow, brown, black
Skin Type
Hard scales
What were their main threats?
Hawks, Baboons, Crows, Pigs
What is their conservation status?
Critically Endangered
Where you’ll find them? Semi-humid Regions
Locations South Africa
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Psammobates
Class Reptilia
Family Testudinidae
Where you’ll find them?
Semi-humid Regions
Locations
South Africa
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Psammobates
Kingdom
Animalia
Genus
Psammobates
Class Reptilia
Family Testudinidae
