Literaturdatenbank
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Esque, T. C., & Peters, E. L. (1994). Ingestion of bones, stones and soil by desert tortoises. Fish and Wildlife Research, 13, 73–84.
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich (28 Aug 2011 21:15:06 UTC) |
| Resource type: Journal Article BibTeX citation key: Esque1994 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Ernährung = nutrition, Gopherus, Gopherus agassizii, Habitat = habitat, Nordamerika = North America, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises, Testudinidae Creators: Esque, Peters Collection: Fish and Wildlife Research |
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| Abstract |
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Testudinidae We used field observations and radiographs to document that desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) ingest soil and stones. The ingestion of soil and stones can be a common albeit rarely observed behavior of desert tortoises. We also describe the ingestion of bones by wild tortoises. Desert tortoises readily eat weathered bones, and some individuals persist in eating bone even when they are disturbed. Eating soil, stones, and bones could be important in supplementing the herbivorous diet of tortoises, and thus the relative use of these behaviors in different localities could serve as indicators of nutritive stress. Other possible benefits from the ingestion of soil, stones, and bones include the maintenance of gut pH, nullification of plant secondary compounds, control of intestinal parasites, or maintenance of beak shape (in a fashion analogous to the behavior of birds). Bones and other mineral resources seem to be important to tortoises. However, the mechanistic explanations for eating soil, stones, and bones are currently unknown. Research into the mineral physiology oftortoises is necessary to determine the causes ofthe ingestion o fsoil, bones, and stones and to provide guidance for management.
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich |