Biology

The elongated tortoise is most active at dawn and dusk, its large eyes well adapted to these low light conditions (5) (6). It is an omnivore, regularly feeding on slugs and worms in addition to green leafy material and fruit (5) (6). Breeding occurs during the early part of the rainy season (5). Male elongated tortoises engage in very aggressive courtship behaviour, ramming the female and biting her vigorously around the head, neck, and front legs. The female will dig a flask shaped nest 15 to 20 centimetres deep with her back legs, in which she will lay her clutch of two to four eggs, before replacing the soil. Three clutches a season are laid when in captivity. The eggs of the elongated tortoise are large, and take 130 to 190 days to hatch (2).