Alerts
Please be advised that some of our bird aviaries are closed!
Your Toronto Zoo is committed to the health and safety of the animals in our care. We are taking proactive steps to protect our birds from Avian Influenza, and as a result some birds may be off display.
Please note the following animals that may not be viewable at this time:
Australasia Pavilion
Southern hairy-nosed wombats are currently not viewable.
Australasia reptiles (black tree monitor, red-bellied short-necked turtles, red-tailed green rat snakes, emerald tree boas, green tree pythons, Stimson’s pythons, Lau banded iguanas) are off display
Canadian Domain:
Closed for the season.
African Savanna:
Some animals may not be viewable due to decreasing temperatures.
Kids Zoo
Closed for the season.


Location at the Zoo:
Indo-Malaya
Region: Southeast Asia
Asian brown tortoise
Thought to be the most primitive of all tortoises, based on molecular and morphological studies, this is the largest Asian tortoise species. Manouria emys contains two subspecies, Manouria emys emys and Manouria emys phayrei: which is slightly larger. M.e. phayrei can reach up to 25 kg in the wild and larger in captivity. M. e. emys has separated pectoral scutes while M. e. phayrei has joined pectoral scutes. The carapace (top shell) is broad, flattened, and can reach over 60 cm in length. These tortoises have a cluster of noticeably large tubercular scales on the thigh on either side of the tail, which is so large this species is sometimes referred to as the six-footed tortoise. The carapace is light to dark brown and the plastron (lower shell) is generally pale brown with some dark spots. In juveniles, the carapace is yellowish brown with dark brown markings. Tortoises are dark brown or black with some yellow under the chin.Conservation Status: IUCN
