Preliminary Observations on the Ecology of the Angulate Tortoise (Chersina angulata) in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Abstract

AbstractThe ecology of the angulate tortoise, Chersina angulata SCHWEIGGER, has been studied using mark-recapture techniques, on a 100 ha farm near Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Biometrical parameters of sexual dimorphism are analysed, and preliminary estimates of growth, home range and density given. Temperature recordings from wild, active and sedentary tortoises indicated aprefered maximum temperature of 28-32 °C.