The face was once painted red, but now is mostly black. The paws contain the remains of wooden pegs inserted into the rock to keep them stretched while they were being carved. Sphinxes are famous for their ability to guard graves. In this role, they are typically depicted with a raised arm holding an object like a scepter or torch. Although they appear only in one piece, sphinxes are actually made up of several different parts that are carved separately and then attached together. There are two main types of sphinxes: male and female. Male sphinxes have been found in many ancient cultures, including Egypt, India, and Turkey. They usually stand around 32 feet (10 m) high and have a broad base to support them against windy conditions. The tail is often curled over the back as well. Female sphinxes are smaller than their male counterparts and less likely to be found intact. However, some female sphinxes do have pieces that were probably used as weapons - such as the Egyptian one that had a blade stuck in its mouth.