They had turtles of all shapes, sizes, and ages!! From 1 yr old to one that is 102 yrs old! Also, for 10,000cfa (about $20), you could adopt a turtle and keep it fed for a year. And the tradition is to name that turtle after the sponsor! They had Bill Clinton...and Monica Lowinsky too!! HAHA!
Some fun turtle facts that we learned:
1) They can live over 100 years...2) Grow to about 80kg (over 160 lbs)...3) Males and females have different shaped shells ...4) Females can hold a males sperm up to 4 years, and make herself pregnant when she wants!...5) The females dig a hole for the eggs, and the temperature of the hole determines the sex of the babies!! (only a few degrees difference can change the sex)...6) You can tell the age of these land turtles by the rings on their shells...enjoy the pictures!
This was actually a Floridian water 'snapping turtle"...very fast with that chomper!
Just a lizard, commonly seen around Dakar...this one was smart and checking out the food hut!
This was a turtle that actually ate too much (which is why his shell is pointy!), so he is in rehab...and on a diet!
Corban, Laurie, and Justin with the Baobab tree in the back...the tree of Senegal, one that can live for thousands of years, and one that becomes huge!! The fruit on these trees is called Monkey Bread! (I'll have to do more reseach on that, and get back to you!)
The diagram of a female turtle
The entrance to the Turtle Sanctuary
The food storage hut...with LOTS of green beans (haricots verts)!
Would you like some hay to eat little guy?
You can tell how old a turtle is by the rings on his shell! I lost count on this one, but I think he was about 40 yrs...
Good times seeing lots of turtles!
Good times seeing lots of turtles! Now off to Lac Rose...
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