Brown TORTOISE
Class: Reptiles
Order: Testudinae
Family: Testudinidae
Genus: Manouria
Species: Emys
Geographic distribution: Southeast Asia
Habitat: Temperate wetlands
Size: 50 to 60 cm
Longevity: 50 years
Weight: 20 to 37 kg
Incubation period: 63 to 84 days
Egg laying: Up to 50 eggs
Diet: Omnivorous, grass, fruits, vegetables, leaves, small invertebrates and amphibians.
Protection status: IUCN status CR – Critically Endangered
Description
The brown tortoise is the largest tortoise in Indonesia and the fourth largest in the world. The females dig a nest in a mound to lay their eggs. What is particularly interesting about this species is that the Burmese brown tortoise is one of the few that remains close to its eggs after laying them. During the first three weeks of incubation, the female guards the nest, protecting he eggs from potential intruders that could harmher offspring .
Threats and preservation
The brown tortoise is threatened by hunting, the pet trade, and deforestation. These factors have led to a rapid decline in its population. The species is exploited for food,traditional medicine, and as a pet. Conservation programs, including captive breeding efforts and habitat protection initiatives, are in place to address these threats and help restore the species’ populations.
