Veerappan, Deepak and Ramesh, Madhuri and S., Bhupathy and Karthikeyan, Vasudevan (2011) Indotestudo travancorica (Boulenger 1907) – Travancore Tortoise. Conservation Biology of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises Chelonian Research Monographs, 5. ISSN 1088-7105
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Abstract
The Travancore Tortoise, Indotestudo travancorica (Family Testudinidae) is a medium-sized tortoise (straight carapace length [SCL] up to 331 mm) endemic to the mountain ranges of the Western Ghats in southwestern India. The taxonomy of the genus Indotestudo has recently been revised, and I. travancorica is considered a distinct species. It is found in semi-ever-green, evergreen, moist deciduous, and bamboo forests, as well as in rubber and teak plantations, occurring mostly near streams and marshes, with a home range of 5.2-34 ha. Travancore Tortoises are omnivorous; their diet encompasses grasses to mollusks and they occasionally scavenge on dead animals. They breed from November to March in captivity, have a clutch size of 1-5 eggs, and hatchlings measure 55-60 mm SCL. The major threats to this species are hunting and habitat loss. Conservation measures should focus on protection, identification of crucial tortoise habitats, and increasing awareness among local communities.
Item Type: | Article |
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Additional Information: | Copyright of this article belongs to authors. |
Subjects: | A ATREE Publications > G Journal Papers |
Divisions: | Academy for Conservation Science and Sustainable Studies > PhD Students Publications |
Depositing User: | Ms Suchithra R |
Date Deposited: | 29 Sep 2025 08:52 |
Last Modified: | 29 Sep 2025 08:52 |
URI: | http://archives.atree.org/id/eprint/908 |