Page 152 - An Anthology of Intriguing Animals (DK)
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Tortoise
T ortoises are the tanks of the animal world. They’re slow and
clumsy, but these reptiles have no need to go fast. Their thick
shell is a heavy shield. If anything tries to attack a tortoise, it just
pulls its head and legs in, peeking out until the coast is clear.
In fact, many stories across the world have the wise,
plodding tortoise competing against the playful, speedy
hare—and winning!
Red-footed tortoises live in South America and grow
to 20 in (50 cm), but on some islands there are giant
tortoises that weigh as much as a tiger. The Hindu
religion has a story about an even bigger tortoise that
carries the whole world on its shell.
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