What is an Egyptian tortoise?

The Egyptian tortoise, known as Kleinmann's tortoise, belongs to the Testudinidae family of land-dwelling turtles and is native to the North African coast. The colors on the Egyptian tortoise's high-domed shell may include ivory, pale yellow, gold and dark brown.

With an average top shell length of less than 6 inches, the Egyptian tortoise is the second-smallest tortoise species in the world. The Egyptian tortoise feeds primarily on grasses, flowers and fruit throughout the deserts, marshes and woodlands where it lives. A threatened species due to habitat destruction and the pet trade, the tortoise is protected by law in Egypt.