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Extinct Reunion giant tortoise and saddle-backed
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Extinct Reunion giant tortoise and saddle-backed
Extinct Reunion giant tortoise, Cylindraspis indica (Indian tortoise, Testudo indica) and shells of the extinct saddle-backed Rodrigues giant tortoise, Cylindraspis vosmaeri. Handcoloured copperplate engraving by Heath after an illustration by George Shaw from his General Zoology, Amphibia, London, 1801
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Media ID 23201884
© Florilegius/Mary Evans
Amphibia Extinct Giant Heath Herpetology Indica Reunion Rodrigues Shaw Shell Testudo Tortoise
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This hand-colored copperplate engraving, created by Heath after an illustration by George Shaw in his seminal work "General Zoology, Amphibia," published in London in 1801, showcases two extinct species of giant tortoises from the Mascarene Islands in the Indian Ocean. The larger of the two tortoises is identified as the Extinct Reunion giant tortoise or Cylindraspis indica, also known as the Indian tortoise. The smaller tortoise is the Extinct Saddle-backed Rodrigues giant tortoise or Cylindraspis vosmaeri. The Extinct Reunion giant tortoise was once native to the island of Réunion, and was characterized by its high, domed carapace, which could reach up to 1.5 meters in length. The tortoise's shell was covered in large, keeled scutes, giving it a distinctive appearance. The species is believed to have gone extinct in the late 18th or early 19th century due to human activities such as hunting and habitat destruction. The Extinct Saddle-backed Rodrigues giant tortoise, also known as the "saddle-backed tortoise," was native to the island of Rodrigues. This species was distinguished by its unique, saddle-shaped carapace, which had a high, keeled central ridge running down the length of its back. The saddle-backed tortoise could grow up to 1.2 meters in length. Like its Reunion counterpart, it is believed to have gone extinct in the early 19th century due to human activities. This engraving serves as a poignant reminder of the biodiversity that has been lost to human activities. The intricate details of the tortoises' shells and the vibrant colors used in the hand-coloring make this a beautiful and educational piece of natural history art.
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