Manouria emys
Fast Facts
- Many tortoise experts believe that these may be the oldest existing tortoise species.
- The Burmese mountain tortoise is known by sixteen different common names – Asian giant tortoise, Asian tortoise, black giant tortoise, Burmese brown tortoise, six-legged tortoise, and spur-thigh tortoise just to name a few.
- Fourth largest tortoise species in the world.
- Called the six-legged tortoise because the supracaudal scutes on the back of its shell resemble another set of legs.
- Females guard over the nest.
Range
Southeast Asia
Habitat
Highland tropical forests
Size
20-24 inches in length and up to 100 pounds
Nutrition
Vegetables, grasses, leaves, and fruits