Tortoise Glossary Terms

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Glossary Terms:  T

Taxonomic group:   

Breaks the biological name down into two groups to become more specific e.g. Testudo graeca.

Taxonomy:   

The science of classification.  The study of the naming of biological organisms.  The scientific name of an animal e.g. Testudo.

Temperate:   

Latitudes where summer and winter seasons are experienced. 

Temperature gradient: 

Temperature range provided for tortoises to thermoregulate, i.e. for it to regulate its internal (core) body temperature. 

Tent tortoise:   

Psammobates tentorius.

Terrapin:   

A fresh water aquatic chelonian.

Terrarium:   

Name given to the container for keeping terrestrial reptiles.

Terrestrial:   

Living on the ground.   An animal that spends most of it’s time on the ground – not aquatic.

Territorial:   

A pattern of behaviour used to defend a specific area.

Testudo:   

The Mediterranean tortoises.

Testudo graeca (T.g.): 

Greek tortoise.

Testudo graeca flowerii:   

Golden Greek tortoise – see also T.g. terrestris.

Testudo graeca graeca:   

North African greek tortoise/ spur-thigh.

Testudo graeca ibera: 

Spur-thigh tortoise; Greek tortoise.

Testudo graeca terrestris:   

Middle Eastern spur-thighed tortoise/Golden Greek - see also    t. g. flowerii.

Testudo graeca zarudnyi:   

Iranian spur-thighed tortoise.

Testudo hermanni:   

Hermanns tortoise/Herman’s tortoise.

Testudo hermanni hermanni:   

Sub-species of Testudo hermanni.

Testudo hermanni robertmertensi:   

Sub-species of Testudo hermanni.

Testudo horsfieldii:   

Agrionemys Horsfieldii; Horsfield tortoise/Russian tortoise.  Also called Central Asian tortoise, Steppe tortoise, Four-toed tortoise, Afghan tortoise. Formerly classified (and still referred to by some) as Testudo horsfieldii.

Testudo kleinmanni:   

Egyptian tortoise.

Testudo marginata:   

Marginated tortoise.

Testudo nabeulensis:   

Tunisian tortoise.

Testudo robertmertensi: 

Term no longer in use for sub-species of Testudo hermanni (hermanni hermanni).

Testudo tabulate:   

Brazilian tortoise.

Testudo werneri:   

Negev tortoise.

Testudo whitei:   

Texas tortoise:   

Gopherus berlandieri.

Thermal gradient:   

A gradual change in temperature from one part of the tortoises living area to another.

Thermometer:   

An instrument used to record temperature.

Thermoregulate:   

To adjust and or control temperature.  Process in which the tortoise will move to warmer or cooler places to regulate its body temperature and metabolism.

Thermostat:   

A devise used to control temperature accurately.

Threatened:   

A species that is not yet endangered, but is in danger of becoming endangered.  A species that appears on Appendix II of the Endangered Species Act.

Topically:   

Relating to surface application i.e. applied externally.

Topsoil:   

The uppermost layer of soil, usually the top 15-20 cm with no added fertiliser.  Mixed with sand in a 50:50 ratio provides an ideal substrate for tortoises.

Tortoise:     

Terrestrial chelonians: a) any of various terrestrial turtles, esp. one of the family testudinidae, characteristically having thick club-like hind limbs and a high rounded carapace; b) (Chiefly British terminology) – a terrestrial or freshwater chelonian.

Tortoise Protection Group (TPG):

A group who are devoted to the promotion of good chelonian husbandry and whose aim is to campaign for a ban on the importation of tortoises bound for the UK pet trade.
Tortoise table:   An enclosed living area which should replicate the tortoises’ natural living environment.

Tortoise Trust (TT):

The Tortoise Trust is the world's largest tortoise and turtle organization.  A site dedicated to the conservation and captive care of Chelonians.

Toxic plants:   

Poisonous foods which should be excluded from a tortoises diet and grazing areas.

Toxin:   

A substance which is dangerous and or poisonous when ingested.

Trauma: 

Damage to the body of the tortoise from a wide range of sources e.g. attacks by dogs, foxes, rats or accidental damage from lawnmowers or by dropping.

Travancore tortoise:   

Indotestudo travancorica.

Trio:   

Refers to a breeding group, usually 1 male and 2 females.

Tropical:    

Pertaining to equatorial regions where winter and summer seasons are not experienced.

Tube feeding:   

A method used to administer nutritional fluid directly into the stomach by use of a tube and a syringe.

Tubercle:   

The spur on a tortoise thigh.

Tunisian tortoise:   

Furculachelys nabeulensis.

Turtle:   

Semi-terrestrial chelonians and marine chelonians.  Sometimes the term is used interchangeably with tortoise.

Tympanitic:   

Relating to the ear.

Type:   

The original specimen upon which a species is erected.

Type species:   

The species designated as the type of a genus or sub-genus.