Indotestudo elongata

(Blyth, 1853)

Vernacular names
English : Elongated tortoise
French : Tortue à tête jaune

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

Identification
Adults can reach a total length of 34 cm for a weight of 3.5 kg. Its carapace is quite long and narrow, color being beige-yellow to light brown with black blotches on each scales. Pale yellow head, turning pink around eyes during breeding.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in South-east Asia, from North-east India and Bangladesh to Myanmar and Vietnam, south to Malaysia. 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 : None known

Observation

 

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