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

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