Impressed tortoise facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Impressed tortoise
A mounted specimen of Manouria impressa
Conservation status
Endangered (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Genus:	Manouria
Species:	impressa
Synonyms
Geoemyda impressa Günther, 1882 Geoemyda latinuchalis Vaillant, 1894 Testudo pseudemys Boulenger, 1903 Testudo latinuchalis — Siebenrock, 1909 Testudo impressa — M.A. Smith, 1922 Geochelone impressa — Pritchard, 1967 Manouria impressa — Bour, 1980 Manowria impressa — Zhou & Zhou, 1991

The impressed tortoise (Manouria impressa) occurs in mountainous forest areas in Southeast Asia, mainly in Myanmar Burma, southern China, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia and Northeast India. The species has a golden brown shell and skin. Adults are much smaller than their relatives the Asian forest tortoise (Manouria emys), with a maximum carapace length of 35 cm (14 in).

The impressed tortoise lives at high elevations, up to 2,000 m (6,600 ft). Its behavior is little known due to the small known population; diet in the wild may consist largely of mushrooms, although bamboo shoots are also eaten. The species is known for being difficult to keep alive in captivity because not much is known about it; although its status in the wild is uncertain, it is eaten widely by local people and little captive breeding has occurred. Humans use impressed tortoises for cell, trading, pets, and food; but some places like Thailand have established a wildlife conservation law to protect them.

See also