During the 1700s, stow-away hungry rats from a docking ship led to the depletion of the tortoise population on the Galapagos Island of Pinzon, Ecuador. These rats were successful in wiping out an entire species for over one-hundred years.
"One if by land, two if by sea!" Coined by Longfellow, in his poem about the iconic ride of Paul Revere, the warning referenced how many more British troops could attack by sea versus land. Coincidentally enough, in the natural world it appears that the Loggerhead sea turtles outnumber the Galápagos land tortoises.
It's time to look ahead to next year already. If you are hoping that next year goes by a little more slowly then this fun Tortoise in a Sweater Wall Calendar is for you!
An 83-year-old grandmother from northeastern China dubbed “Turtle Granny” by her neighbors can often be seen walking her 110 lb pet tortoise along the streets of her hometown.
A rescued Gopher Tortoise from Florida is making progress in rehabilitation after unknown human abusers slathered its shell with concrete and spray-painted it red.
