Tortoise is the first cultural history of these long-lived and intriguing creatures, which have existed for more than 200 million years. The book covers tortoises worldwide, in evolution, myth and reality, ranging across paleontology, natural history, myth, folklore, art forms, literature, veterinary medicine and trade regulations. The tortoise has been seen as an Atlas-like creature supporting the world, as the origin of music and as a philosophical paradox. Peter Young examines the tortoise in all these guises, as well as a military tactical formation, its exploitation by mariners and others for food, as ornament (in tortoiseshell), as a motif in art, and in space research. He looks at the movement away from exploitation to conservation and even the uses of the tortoise in advertising. As well as examples of species, illustrations from around the world include monuments, sculptures, coins, stamps, objets d’art, drawings, cartoons, advertisements and X-rays. The book will appeal not only to tortoise lovers but also to readers of cultural histories around the world. "Peter Young’s Tortoise, on the other claw, can be warmly recommended."—Jonathan Bate, The Times

African culture is closely tied up to its affinity to nature. It is not surprising, therefore, that fables comprise many of African folktales from past to present. Ibiye Omieibi-Davids¿s wonderful storytelling is demonstrated in African Tortoise Tales, a collection of memorable African fables set to capture the hearts and minds of children the world over. ¿The Tortoise and the Sardine¿ tells why stubborness leads to unfortunate situations that may affect someone forever. ¿The Tortoise and the Magic Drums¿ shows that greed brings nothing but misery, and ¿The Tortoise and the Stone Man¿ depicts that evil schemes and bad actions when uncovered will not escape punishment. Nine other interesting stories delve in varied themes like arrogance and humility, trust and betrayal, and loyalty and camaraderie. Accompanied by beautiful illustrations, African Tortoise Tales is a book children and adults alike would enjoy reading for years.

Long before people could turn to books for instruction and amusement, they relied upon storytellers for answers to their questions about life. Africa boasts a particularly rich oral tradition, in which the griot — village historian — preserved and passed along cultural beliefs and experiences from one generation to the next. This collection of 30 timeless fables comes from the storytellers of Nigeria, whose memorable narratives tell of promises kept and broken, virtue rewarded, and treachery punished. Ajapa the Tortoise — a trickster, or animal with human qualities — makes frequent appearances among the colorful cast of talking animals. In "Tortoise Goes Wooing," he learns a valuable lesson in friendship and sharing. Ajapa's further adventures describe how, among other things, he became a chief, acquired all of the world's wisdom, saved the king, tricked the lion, and came to be bald. Recounted in simple but evocative language, these ancient tales continue to enchant readers and listeners of all ages.

Remnants of an ancient lineage, tortoises date back to the Eocene. Among the five species remaining in North America, Texas tortoises are the smallest in size and inhabit some of the harshest arid environments known. They are also the most neglected by wildlife personnel. In The Texas Tortoise, biologists Francis L. Rose and Frank W. Judd draw on decades of research to offer the first comprehensive account of this fascinating but threatened species. The authors begin by explaining the relationship of the Texas tortoise to other species, fossil as well as extant. They delineate the Texas tortoise’s environment and describe what it eats, how the animal grows and reproduces, and how it behaves. Throughout, Rose and Judd write eloquently about the threats to the species’ survival, reflecting deep concern about its future protection. The authors also discuss Texas tortoises’ significance in supporting other species in their environment—southern Texas and northeastern Mexico—where their survival is threatened by habitat reduction and increasing road traffic. “If you see a tortoise on the roadway,” Rose and Judd admonish the reader, “move it to safety, and drive away as quickly as legally allowed.” It is in fact illegal to collect or possess a Texas tortoise. But for those who do, this book advises how to care for the animal. Tortoises have enjoyed a splendid and diverse history. That they did so well for so long is perplexing, the authors note, as the animals are slow and do not actively defend themselves against predators. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department lists Texas tortoises as “threatened,” and Rose and Judd call on the federal government to do the same. Biologists, conservationists, and turtle enthusiasts alike will find this guide to Texas and other tortoises invaluable.

This book contains sixty-five old-time bedtime stories! Two opposite faces of Tortoise’s character are revealed here: the good and the bad. Tortoise, once loved and respected for his kindness, hard work, persistence, patience, wisdom, and super intelligence to dig out and solve the toughest puzzles or the most difficult and mysterious problems, is the same Tortoise who lost all that to lying, tricking, selfishness, revengefulness, greed, stealing, jealousy, and exploiting others’ weaknesses under the pretense of helping when he is actually out to hurt those he claims to help so as to achieve his goals. Parents, teachers, or others who use these stories for moral and life skills education should emphasize genuine moral values or virtues and also point out that how one gets to one’s goal should be as morally sound as the goal itself. So their discretion is crucial when addressing moral relativism, if any is obvious.

One of the most recognizable animals of the Southwest, the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) makes its home in both the Sonoran and Mohave Deserts, as well as in tropical areas to the south in Mexico. Called by Tohono O'odham people "komik'c-ed," or "shell with living thing inside," it is one of the few desert creatures kept as a domestic petÑas well as one of the most studied reptiles in the world. Most of our knowledge of desert tortoises comes from studies of Mohave Desert populations in California and Nevada. However, the ecology, physiology, and behavior of these northern populations are quite different from those of their southern, Sonoran Desert, and tropical cousins, which have been studied much less. Differences in climate and habitat have shaped the evolution of three races of desert tortoises as they have adapted to changes in heat, rainfall, and sources of food and shelter as the deserts developed in the last ten million years. This book presents the first comprehensive summary of the natural history, biology, and conservation of the Sonoran and Sinaloan desert tortoises, reviewing the current state of knowledge of these creatures with appropriate comparisons to Mohave tortoises. It condenses a vast amount of information on population ecology, activity, and behavior based on decades of studying tortoise populations in Arizona and Sonora, Mexico, and also includes important material on the care and protection of tortoises. Thirty-two contributors address such topics as tortoise fossil records, DNA analysis, and the mystery of secretive hatchlings and juveniles. Tortoise health is discussed in chapters on the care of captives, and original data are presented on the diets of wild and captive tortoises, the nutrient content of plant foods, and blood parameters of healthy tortoises. Coverage of conservation issues includes husbandry methods for captive tortoises, an overview of protective measures, and an evaluation of threats to tortoises from introduced grass and wildfires. A final chapter on cultural knowledge presents stories and songs from indigenous peoples and explores their understanding of tortoises. As the only comprehensive book on the desert tortoise, this volume gathers a vast amount of information for scientists, veterinarians, and resource managers while also remaining useful to general readers who keep desert tortoises as backyard pets. It will stand as an enduring reference on this endearing creature for years to come.

Why The Tortoise Lives Under A Heap Of Rubbish In The Forest And Other Stories is a compilation of some fairytales of the Edo people, retold for children aged 8 to 10 years. The Edo people live in Nigeria, and their capital city is Benin City.

The Adventures of the Little Tin Tortoise is a practical, interactive storybook for building and maintaining self-esteem in children aged seven to nine. Using the tradition of oral story-telling, Deborah Plummer encourages children to consider the self-esteem issues encountered by a little tin tortoise on a journey to discover who he really is. The various obstacles and helpers he encounters along the way include worries, bullying, making decisions and friendship and children will gain age-appropriate insights from the story depending on their needs and level of understanding. Activity sheets and expansion topics also prompt children to explore the seven key elements of healthy self-esteem - self-knowledge, self and others, self-acceptance, self-reliance, self-expression, self-confidence and self-awareness - through active participation and discussion in pairs or groups. Teachers, parents, carers and all who support children in the development of healthy self-esteem will find this an essential resource.