Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences 15 (1) 53-58 June 2008
ISSN 1319-562X
The Official Journal of the Saudi Biological Society
htt:www.saudibiosoc.com

Seasonal Variation in Feeding Behaviour of Indian Roofed Turtle, Pangshura tectum in Bangladesh

Md. Lokman Hossain1, Shorab Uddin Sarker and Noor Jahan Sarker2
Department of Zoology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh

Abstract
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Study was conducted in nature and in captivity to observe the food contents and feeding behaviour of Indian roofed turtle, Pangshura tectum, in Bangladesh between January 1997 and December 2001. The species was found to be omnivore, fed on plants, dead fishes, insects and fecal matters. In nature, the food consumption of the turtle was 3.32% of the body weight per day that was the highest in summer (4.6%) and lowest in winter (1.7%). In captivity, the consumption was 5.8% of the body weight per day and it was highest in rainy season (7.5%) and lowest in winter (3.8%). The feeding frequency was higher in captivity than in nature.

Key words: Indian Roofed Turtle, Seasonal variation, feeding behaviour .

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