Mortality in imported tortoises (Testudo graeca and T. hermanni) in the United Kingdom |
| |
| Authors: | K Lawrence |
| |
| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Electromechanical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macau;2. Tianjin Key Laboratory for Advanced Mechatronic System Design and Intelligent Control, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin 300384, China |
| |
| Abstract: | Concurrent surveys of the mortality of tortoises, after purchase from pet shops, were undertaken during the periods May 1982 to May 1986 and May 1983 to May 1986. The first survey involved 499 Testudo graeca ibera and the second 106 Testudo hermanni hermanni. By the end of the survey periods 91·8% of the T. graeca were dead and 86·8% of the T. hermanni. A yearly mortality rate of between 23% and 29% is much greater than would be expected in a stable wild population. Problems associated with hibernation accounted for 84·5% of deaths. On the basis of this survey the mass importation of tortoises, into the United Kingdom, cannot be justified. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
| 本文献已被 ScienceDirect 等数据库收录！ |
|
