Sighting Frequency and Food Habits of the Leopard Tortoise, Geochelone Pardalis, in Northern Tanzania
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Date
2001
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Abstract
Sighting frequency and food habits of the leopard tortoise (Geochelone pardalis) were studied in northern Tanzania from October 1993 to June 1996. Sighting frequency varied significantly between protected (0.22 mhr−1) and unprotected sites (0.59 mhr−1), and between Arusha (0.27 mhr−1) and Serengeti sites (0.56 mhr−1). The tortoise diet comprised mostly plants (97.8%) and rarely inorganic matter (2.2%). A total of 47 plant species from 21 families was eaten. Forbs made up 74.5% of the plant items and monocots the remainder. Succulents contributed 51.0% of the plant items eaten while grasses and legumes accounted for 16.8% and 13.5%, respectively. Some plant items were eaten more frequently than their occurrence in the habitats.
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Keywords
Diet, Leopard tortoise, Sighting frequency, Tanzania
Citation
Kabigumila, J., 2001. Sighting frequency and food habits of the leopard tortoise, Geochelone pardalis, in northern Tanzania. African Journal of Ecology, 39(3), pp.276-285.