Tim Hoen

There are very few studies available that describe the habits and preferred habitats for this tortoise in the wild. This crepuscular tortoise may reach 24” (60cm) or more for M.e.phayrei at 70 to100lbs (31.8 to 45.5 kg.) and 18” to 20” (50cm), for M.e.emys, 40 to 60 lbs (18.2 to 27.3 kg.). They possess good eyesight including color vision and sense of smell. There are several horny tubercular scales (with one larger one on each leg) on the rear of each thigh that gives it the name of the “six legged or six footed tortoise”. Mostly dark brown to black in color, some individual may have an olive or lighter brown to grayish or yellowish appearance (usually in the centers of the carapace scutes). The female Mountain Tortoise has a unique behavior of nesting and egg laying. Egg deposition is at the top of a large mound of available sticks, dirt and leaves that the female scrapes and pushes up in a backward fashion. Then the female guards the nest area for a period of time (this varies according to climate, stress and who is reporting the data). It is believed by some that she stays at the nest site until the first (or additional) rains come to wash away the smells of egg laying. This is very advantageous to protect against any egg-stealing predators. Burmese Mountain Tortoises are forest dwelling omnivores but generally are considered to be vegetarians with a fermentative intestine. There are many individuals in the U.S. that have one chelonian species of some rarity. These must be incorporated into larger breeding colonies after health evaluations and blood work by a qualified veterinarian. Because of the current state of the world and especially how chelonians are consumed at unprecedented rates, rare chelonians must be bred with accurate record keeping to ensure some genetic integrity for the future.
Manouria Session: Oral

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