Tortoise Glossary Terms

A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   I   J   K   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R   S   T   U   V   W   X   Y   Z

Glossary Terms:  G

Galápagos tortoise:   

Geochelone Nigra.

Genetic:   

Pertaining to genes and inheritance. 

Genotype:   

The genetic composition of an animal.  The genes being passed to subsequent generations.

Genus (pl. Genera):   

The taxonomic category for a group of related animals below Family and above Species.  A subdivision of Family. 

Geochelone (G):   

A genus of tortoises which include the following species:

Geochelone carbonaria:   

Red-footed tortoise.

Geochelone chilensis:

Chaco tortoise.

Geochelone denticulata:

Yellow-footed tortoise.

Geochelone elegens:

Indian star tortoise.

Geochelone flavomarginatus:

Mexican Tortoise.

Geochelone gigantea:

Aldabra Giant Tortoise.  Now re-classified as Dipsochelys dussumieri; also formerly classified as Dipsochelys elephantina.

Geochelone Nigra:

Galápagos Tortoise.

Geochelone pardalis:   

Leopard Tortoise.

Geochelone pardalis babcocki:

Subspecies of the Geochelone pardalis tortoise.

Geochelone pardalis pardalis:

Subspecies of the Geochelone pardalis tortoise.

Geochelone platynota:   

Burmese star tortoise.

Geochelone radiata:   

Radiated tortoise.

Geochelone sulcata:   

African Spurred Tortoise.

Geochelone Yniphora:   

Angonoko Tortoise, Ploughshare tortoise.

Geometric tortoise:   

Psammobates geometricus.

Gestation:

The period of time in pregnancy from egg fertilisation until egg-laying.

Golden Greek tortoise:   

Testudo graeca flowerii; Middle Eastern spur-thighed tortoise.

Gopherus agassizii:   

Desert tortoise.

Gopherus berlandieri:   

Texas tortoise.

Gopherus flavomarginatus:   

Bolson’s tortoise.

Gopherus polyphemus:   

Gopherus tortoise.

Gopherus tortoise; (Gopher Tortoise):

Gopherus polyphemus.

Gravid:   

A term used to describe a female tortoise which is carrying eggs.

Greek tortoise: 

Testudo graeca ibera.

Gregarious:   

Living or congregating in groups.

Gular:   

In tortoises usually refers to the first pair of plastral scutes directly below and behind the head.

Gut:   

The whole of the alimentary canal from the mouth to the cloaca or the lower part of it, (the intestine).

Gut flora:   

The normal balance of microflora and protozoa’s found in the alimentary tract.