Sighting Frequency and Food Habits of the Leopard Tortoise, Geochelone Pardalis, in Northern Tanzania

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dc.creatorKabigumila, Jonathan D.
dc.date2016-06-15T20:53:02Z
dc.date2016-06-15T20:53:02Z
dc.date2001
dc.date.accessioned2021-05-03T13:28:58Z
dc.date.available2021-05-03T13:28:58Z
dc.descriptionSighting 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.
dc.identifierKabigumila, 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.
dc.identifierhttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11810/2477
dc.identifier10.1046/j.1365-2028.2001.00316.x
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11810/2477
dc.languageen
dc.subjectDiet
dc.subjectLeopard tortoise
dc.subjectSighting frequency
dc.subjectTanzania
dc.titleSighting Frequency and Food Habits of the Leopard Tortoise, Geochelone Pardalis, in Northern Tanzania
dc.typeJournal Article, Peer Reviewed

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