Cane turtle

The yellow-headed tortoise ( Vijayachelys sylvatica ) long time belonged to the Pip tortoises ( Geoemyda ) but was taken in 2005 by Peter Praschag, Christian Schmidt, Guido Fritzsch, Anke Muller, Richard Gemeld and Uwe Fritz from the genus Geoemyda and as a single representative of the genus Vijayachelys described

( lit.: Geoemyda sylvatica, in enigmatic turtle of the Geoemydidae ( Reptilia: Testudines ) Represents a distinct genus)

Features

The turtle can reach a carapace length of 14 cm, the females are usually larger. In contrast to Chinese and Japanese Pip tortoise the end of the carapace is smooth for adult forms and not jagged. Only in pups the end of the carapace is slightly serrated. The yellow-headed tortoise has a pronounced hooked beak.

The carapace of the male is chestnut brown, the plastron ( plastron ) is yellowish. The head of the male is black, the snout is colored red. In the males, the entire jaw is colored yellow, with the females only the lower jaw. The yellow pine owes this turtle its name. Compared to females and pups males are rather dark and contrast. The carapace of the female is colored hellzimmt - to umber, the plastron buff to dull yellow -tinted. In adult females the head is often strongly colored red. The coloring of the pups looks more females than males similar.

Distribution and habitat

The yellow-headed tortoise occurs in the southern Western Ghats, a mountain range in southwestern India, endemic to. There she lives in ever - green and semi - evergreen forests. At altitudes between 400 and 500 height Most often it occurs at above sea level. The summer and autumn in these areas is very rainy, during the months of December to April, very dry.

Behavior and diet (hunting )

The activity of the turtles is highly dependent on rainfall and humidity. At high humidity, these animals are active, while keeping them in the dry months a so-called dry sleep. The turtle hunts and lives well hidden in the underbrush and between stones. Because of their coloring is well camouflaged in the undergrowth. Bright and sunny places are avoided.

For food range includes both plant and animal foods, they thus fed to omnivorous. So millipedes, Schnurfüßler, worms, snails, beetles and various fruits are eaten

Nature protection and hazard

Due to their rarity, the yellow-headed tortoise enjoys in India strict national protection. The catch, trade and possession of these turtles is prohibited. The destruction of natural habitats contributes the most to the hazard of the turtle. Forests are cleared for the purpose of rubber, tea, coffee, cardamom and poppy cultivation. Through several Indian national parks Gelkopf - tortoises are protected. These national parks are to make the population on the risks of this kind attention and create awareness for conservation.