Indotestudo forstenii

(Schlegel & Müller, 1844)

Vernacular names
English : Forsten’s tortoise
French : Tortue de Forsten

Classification
Class : Reptilia
Order : Testudines
Family : Testudinidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach a total length of 30 cm for a weight of 2.5 kg. Its carapace is quite long and narrow, but highly domed. Legs and head yellowish-beige. Shell yellow-orange with large indistinct dark blotches on each scute.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in South-east Asia and is endemic to Indonesia, occurring on Halmahera and introduced on Sulawesi. Mostly found in humid forests, sometimes comes to dry open habitats.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species is highly endangered because of over-collection for selling as food and medicine in local markets, also for trade, and by habitat loss.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP in America

Observation

 

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