TerralogNEWS101
9
M.e.emys
is fairly contrast-rich in itsmarkings. Photo:Ch.Fritz,www.reptilia24.com
M.emys
is alsoknownas theSix-leggedTortoisebecauseof itspowerful spurs.
Photo:ChristophFritz,www.reptilia24.com
Thepectoral scutesof theventral armor donotmeet in
M.e.emys
.
Photos:F.Schäfer
subtropical rainforests. Because of the
inaccessibility of their habitat and also
because of the difficult political situation,
especially in the northern part of their
distribution region, there is an extreme
paucity of data on the natural habitats of
these animals. Like practically all tortoises,
however,
Manouria
are regarded as
endangered, as they are hunted for food
and their habitat, the rainforest, is being
increasingly destroyed. The comparatively
small numbers if specimens that arrive in
the trade can be regarded as insignificant
in proportion to these threats.
Manouria
emys
isprotected internationallyunder the
Washington Convention on Species
Conservation (Appendix II) and hence
cannotbesoldwithouttherelevantpermit.
S
ix-legged tortoises
Schidkröte
The numerous peculiarities of
Manouria
emys
include the powerful spurs on the
upper thigh, twoon each side of the back
legs in both sexes. Because of these spurs
these animals have been given the name
“Six-legged Tortoise” in their native lands.
Their Englishname isAsian Forest Tortoise
orAsianBrownTortoise.
Peacefulgiants
Practically without exception, all tortoises
are solitary and have little idea of how to
get onwith conspecifics except atmating
time. Because males are very aggressive
towardsmembersof theirown sexmostof
the time and their constant urge tomate
can also lead to them terrorizing females,
experienced keepers of chelonians
maintain tortoises separatelywhere space
permits and put them together only to
breed.But once again
Manouriaemys
is an
exception in this regard. It is usually not
only extremely
peaceful
towards
conspecifics,butevenappears todevelopa
sortof social structure,at least incaptivity!
Broodcare
There is even more that is unique about
