WHY DID THE TEXAS TORTOISE CROSS THE ROAD?

Why did the tortoise cross the road?

We didn't ask, but biologist Shane Kiefer did snap this photo of a Texas tortoise crossing a ranch road on a client's property in Zavala County. Thanks to a low reproductive rate, historic heavy exploitation by pet suppliers, and other factors, these docile creatures have been on the state "threatened" list since 1977, protecting them from from being taken, possessed, transported, exported, sold, or offered for sale. Primarily vegetarian, the Texas tortoise feed heavily on the fruit of the common prickly pear and on other mostly succulent plants available to them. Although the life span is unknown, it is thought by some that breeding age is attained in about 15 years and that longevity may be as great as 60 years. Related fossil forms in this genus have been found in the Pliocene in Central Texas. The Pliocene is considered as dating back to 10 million years B.C. (Texas tortoise information via Texas Parks & Wildlife).

Camera shy!