Manouria emys phayrei

(Blyth, 1854)

Vernacular names
English : Asian brown tortoise
French : Tortue forestière asiatique

Classification
Class : Reptilia
Order : Testudines
Family : Testudinidae
Notes : 1 other subspecies known.

Identification
Large tortoise with a depressed shell, reaching 60 cm in length for a weight up to 37 kg. Shell scutes often concave, large scales on forelegs. This subspecies is larger, has joined pectoral scutes and is often much darker.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in South-east Asia from extreme east India to Malaysia and Indonesia. Subspecies found from north-east India to Myanmar and Thailand. Lives in tropical evergreen forest, in humid areas, to 1000 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species is in critical situation because of habitat loss and relentless, unsustainable and uncontrolled trapping, mostly for food and trade.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP in America, EEP in Europe

Observation

 

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