Manouria impressa (Impressed Tortoise)

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Home > Turtle Database > Manouria impressa (Impressed Tortoise)

Credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impressed_tortoise

Manouria impressa, commonly known as the Impressed Tortoise, is a medium-sized tortoise species recognized for its unique shell texture. This elusive tortoise inhabits forested regions and is known for its preference for cooler, shaded environments.

Other related species

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Scientific Classification

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Reptilia
  • Order: Testudines
  • Family: Testudinidae
  • Genus: Manouria
  • Species: M. impressa

Common Names

Impressed Tortoise

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Identification

Description
The Impressed Tortoise has a golden-brown, slightly flattened shell with serrated edges. Its scutes have a wrinkled appearance, giving the impression of being “impressed.” Adults typically grow up to 30 cm in length.

Sexual Dimorphism
Males have a longer tail and a concave plastron, while females have a flatter plastron.

Native Origin and Distribution

Geographical Range
This species is native to Southeast Asia, including countries like Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and southern China.

Preferred Habitat

The Impressed Tortoise thrives in moist, montane forests with cool temperatures and dense vegetation. It prefers shaded areas near streams or water sources.

Behavior

Feeding Habits
It is primarily herbivorous, feeding on leaves, fruits, and mushrooms. Occasionally, it may consume small invertebrates.

Predators
Natural predators include large birds, carnivorous mammals, and reptiles. Human activities also pose significant threats.

Reproduction

Breeding Season
The breeding season occurs during the rainy months, typically between May and September.

Reproductive Method
Females lay small clutches of eggs in shallow nests dug in the soil. Incubation lasts about 100-120 days.

Conservation

Extinction Status
The Impressed Tortoise is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

Threats
Major threats include habitat loss due to deforestation, poaching for the pet trade, and use in traditional medicine.

Conservation Measures
Efforts include habitat protection, captive breeding programs, and stricter enforcement of wildlife trade laws.

Economic Importance

While not widely utilized, the species is sometimes sold in the pet trade and used in local traditional medicine, especially in Southeast Asia.

Interesting Facts

The Impressed Tortoise is one of the few tortoise species adapted to cooler, forested environments. It is shy and rarely seen in the wild, making it a prized sight for researchers and enthusiasts.

About Author

Muntaseer Rahman started keeping pet turtles back in 2013. He also owns the largest Turtle & Tortoise Facebook community in Bangladesh. These days he is mostly active on Facebook.