Manouria emys emys

(Schlegel & Müller, 1844)

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 slightly smaller and lighter to richer brown in global coloration.

Range and habitat

The species occurs in South-east Asia from extreme east India to Malaysia and Indonesia. Subspecies found from south Thailand to Sumatra and Borneo. 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