v3i1.42

Submitted date: 28 June 2011
Accepted date: 29 July 2011
Published date: 30 July 2011
Pp. 38–41.

MUGGER CROCODILE (Crocodylus palustris Lesson, 1831) PREYS ON A RADIATED TORTOISE IN SRI LANKA

Mahesh C. De Silva, A.A. Thasun Amarasinghe, Anslem de Silva & D. M. S. Suranjan Karunarathna*
*Corresponding author. E-mail: dmsameera@gmail.com

Abstract
The Mugger crocodile is the second largest crocodile in Sri Lanka. Recently we observed a Mugger attacking an unidentified radiated tortoise. The body morphology and colouration of this particular tortoise appeared different to the native Star tortoise widely distributed in the country. Thus, the possibility of an escaped or released exotic pet is discussed.

Key words : Sri Lanka, Crocodylus palustris, Geochelone elegans, Stigmochelys pardalis, feeding

Section Editor: John Rudge