N'Qan River Tortoise
The N'Qan River Tortoise is a small species of river tortoise that lives in the N'Qan region of Tropacia. The tortoise primarily lives on the ground, but due to their lack of intelligence and lack of density, they try to swim under the water but end up floating along the surface. Despite using this technique constantly to escape from predators, they never learn that they float instead of sink.
Basic Information
Anatomy
N'Qan River Tortoises have a large, dome shaped shell, with many dark brown scutes forming the carapace. The scutes are hexagonal in shape, and fit together evenly. The rim of the carapace is slightly curved upwards, which makes it easier for the tortoise to glide across the surface of rivers. The bottom of the shell is smoother with lighter brown scutes. Four legs stick out on each corner of the slightly square domed shell. Their heads are small, with a small brown beak. Their heads and legs can tuck neatly inside their shells, to provide protection from predators and allows them to survive in the rivers while they float.
Genetics and Reproduction
N'Qan river tortoises mate during Uribar, the breeding season for most species on the planet. Females mate with a few males over the course of the season, and proceed to dig themselves a massive hole (for them) with a slope to get in and out. The tortoise then lays all the eggs in one pile, covers them with soil, dead leaves, anything they can shuffle over them, and abandons them. The eggs hatch after 6 weeks, by that time a lot of the eggs have been eaten by various predators.
Ecology and Habitats
N'Qan River Tortoises live in the rainforests of Tropacia. They live in the ground layer, shuffling through the thick layers of leaves, soil, and other random items fallen from trees. To escape predators, these tortoises run straight into rivers, where they then float to the other side. The tortoises expect to sink to the bottom, and swim their way to the other side but their partially hollow large shells allows them to float along the surface somewhat submerged, as they hide inside their shells and stay protected.
Dietary Needs and Habits
These tiny tortoises feed on dead plant matter that they find on the rainforest floor. In an abundance these tortoises can't possible starve, since this plant matter is so common. Their beaks are so strong they can bite through roots small enough to fit in their mouths. They have been recorded digesting soil, believed to be in order to extract some essential nutrients.
Additional Information
Geographic Origin and Distribution
These river tortoises exist in the rainforests in Tropacia, the south, southeast and east of the island. They live near river systems, using them as getaways when they're being hunted by predators. Their territory has expanded into the Surbaria Region, they are often found in the Surbaria Healing Streams that stretch through the rainforest, miles of artificial river systems that the tortoises have also been seen to inhabit.
Comments
Author's Notes
The N'Qan River Tortoise was inspired by ShadowPhoenix. Thank you!