RESEARCH COMMUNICATION

THE GIANT STAR TORTOISE (Geochelone elegans) OF LUNUGAMWEHERA NATIONAL PARK, SRI LANKA

Abstract

Geochelone elegans, is a terrestrial testudine that inhabit in scrub forests, grasslands and agricultural lands in India, eastern Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Its carapace is dome shaped usually with humps. The scutes on the carapace and plastron are brightly coloured with yellowish-cream and black-streaked markings. They are largely herbivorous, feeding on various grasses, herbs, fallen flowers and also known to scavenge on animal matter. They drink water. The average curved carapace length is generally 250-350 mm and weighs 2-4 kg. Females have large bodies and weigh more than males. A large female weighing 6.6 kg was reported from Hambantota in mid 1990’s. Few additional large females were reported from India weighing 8.960 kg and 7.0 kg. Here we report an exceptionally large Geochelone elegans which weighed 14 kg that was recently observed and investigated in the Lunugamwehera National Park, Southeast, Sri Lanka.

Keywords: Star tortoise, herbivorous, threats, shell rot, largest tortoise, Lunugamwehera National Park.

How to Cite: Anslem de Silva,,Wijeratne,R,Rodrigo,K,Hettiarachchi,H.A.H.R,Prasad,G.A.T, (2017). THE GIANT STAR TORTOISE (Geochelone elegans) OF LUNUGAMWEHERA NATIONAL PARK, SRI LANKA.WILDLANKA, 5(1):Pages 031-035

Published On:2017-05-31

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