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Species in News: Elongated Tortoise
Context:
The elongated tortoise was spotted in Haryana’s Damdama area during a research survey in the Aravallis.
More on News:
- The tortoise’s presence in the Aravallis is unusual as it is not native to this region. It is more commonly found in the foothills of the Himalayas.
- This medium-sized tortoise, distinguished by its yellowish-brown or olive shell adorned with black blotches and a pink ring around the nostrils during the breeding season, represents a significant discovery in this region.
About Elongated Tortoise:
- Scientific Name: Indotestudo Elongata
- Common Names: Elongated Tortoise, Yellow Tortoise
- IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
- Listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES).
- Habitat: The species, also known as the Sal Forest Tortoise, usually resides in open deciduous forest areas, including Sal (Shorea Robusta) forests, evergreen forests, dry thorn forests, and savannah grasslands.
- Distribution: Southeast Asia, including northern India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Indochina, Guangxi Province in China, and Peninsular Malaysia.
- A disjunct population exists in the Chota Nagpur plateau in eastern India.
- Diet: They are omnivorous and consume a diverse diet that includes various plants, leaves, fallen fruit, flowers, fungi, snails, slugs, and carrion.
- Typically breed in the summer and autumn. Females lay up to 5 eggs in a deep nest, which incubate for about 100 days.
- Threats: Including exploitation for food, traditional medicine, and incidental capture during farming or resource extraction.
- Human-Related Risks: Declines are attributed to human activities, including hunting and habitat disruption.