Impressed tortoise facts for kids

The impressed tortoise (Manouria impressa) is a special kind of tortoise found in the mountains of Southeast Asia. It has a beautiful golden-brown shell and skin. These tortoises are much smaller than their relatives, the Asian forest tortoise. An adult impressed tortoise can grow up to about 35 centimeters (14 inches) long.

Quick facts for kids Impressed tortoise
A mounted specimen of Manouria impressa
Conservation status
Endangered (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Testudines
Suborder:	Cryptodira
Family:	Testudinidae
Genus:	Manouria
Species:	M. impressa
Binomial name
Manouria impressa (Günther, 1882).
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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

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Where It Lives

The impressed tortoise lives in high mountain forests. You can find them in countries like Myanmar (Burma), southern China, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Northeast India. They prefer places that are up to 2,000 meters (about 6,500 feet) high!

What They Eat

Not much is known about the impressed tortoise because it's hard to study them in the wild. Scientists believe their diet mostly includes mushrooms. They also eat bamboo shoots.

Behavior and Life

Because these tortoises are rarely seen, their daily habits are a bit of a mystery. They are known to be quite shy. Keeping them in zoos or special centers is difficult because we don't fully understand what they need to stay healthy.

Protecting the Impressed Tortoise

The impressed tortoise is considered an endangered species. This means their numbers are getting very low in the wild. People sometimes collect them for pets or for food. However, some countries, like Thailand, have special laws to protect them. These laws help keep the tortoises safe and stop them from being taken from their natural homes. Scientists and conservation groups are working to learn more about these amazing creatures so they can be better protected for the future.