page_title: Kleinmann's tortoise
section_title: Description
hierarchical_section_title: Kleinmann's tortoise / Description
caption_attribution_description: Testudo kleinmanni bottom - Tortle found in the Negev desert in Israel Tortue photographiée dans le désert du Neguev December 2006
context_page_description: Kleinmann's tortoise, often called the Egyptian tortoise and occasionally Leith's tortoise, is a critically endangered species of neck-hiding tortoise in the family Testudinidae. The species is endemic to Egypt and Libya. The species was once more widespread, but its numbers are now dwindling. The species is nearly extinct in Egypt, and complete extinction in the wild is a looming threat unless more actions are taken to protect this species.
context_section_description: Kleinmann's tortoise is the smallest tortoise in the Northern Hemisphere. Female tortoises are larger than the males; males are more slender and have a longer tail.
  The plastron has a high dome, and ranges in color from ivory to pale gold to dark brown to pink or dull yellow. This colouring strongly follows Gloger's rule, as it helps to regulate the impact of sunlight. This allows the paler tortoise to stay in the desert heat for longer. It is also an effective camouflage in the desert. The carapace is light yellow, often with two dark triangles on each abdominal scute. The tortoise's scutes have dark edgings that fade with age.
  The head and limbs are a very pale ivory-yellow to yellowish-brown colour.
caption: Belly of the Egyptian tortoise
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