tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5090933127365695771.post2081625559334143956..comments2024-01-17T19:32:13.920-08:00Comments on Prehistoric Beast of the Week: Living Fossil: A Tortoise That CaresChris DiPiazzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06732594604741735181noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5090933127365695771.post-82548478360833269432014-04-25T02:15:39.923-07:002014-04-25T02:15:39.923-07:00I noticed that you referred to there being no land...I noticed that you referred to there being no land tortoises in Australia. I'm fascinated by what Robin and Honey Badger have to say on this: <br><br>"...The real reason for the lack of land tortoises in Australia is a combination of salinity and fire that occurs on no other continent or island. Tortoises survive wildfires mainly by aestivating underground, but aestivation is impracticable in saline environments. This is because aestivation involves desiccation and consequently a risk of excessive sodium in the blood.”<br><br>http://www.explorebioedge.com/bio-bullets/item/47-the-puzzle-of-a-tortoiseless-australia.htmlEnviroNuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04104372137148669494noreply@blogger.com