an african spurred tortoise at the catoctin wildlife preserve in thurmount, maryland usa.

zoo world wildlife wild usa undefined turtles turtle tortoises tortoise thurmount threats thirdlargest testudinidae testudines succulents suborder spurred species southern soil slow shrubs shell sahel sahara retract reptiles reptile replenished regions protect preserve predation plants necks nature maryland mainland largest inhabiting hottest hills high heads hard ground grasses grass flat family excavates endangered eat dunes desert day cryptodira catoctin burrows burrow arid animal amphibian african africa snake serpent lizard frog crocodile alligator