Feeding habits of <em>Mesoclemmys vanderhaegei</em> (Testudines: Chelidae)

Abstract

We studied the feeding habits of Mesoclemmys vanderhaegei in small water bodies in the central region of the Brazilian Cerrado. We captured 80 individuals, 79 of which [41 (52%) females, 27 males (34%), 11 (14%) juveniles] had stomach contents for analysis. We identified 64 food item categories. The turtles were eating more animal than plant material, aquatic invertebrates being the most conspicuous diet item found. Plant material was more abundant in females and rare in the diet of juveniles. Mesoclemmys vanderhaegei proved to be an omnivorous and opportunistic chelonian, feeding on a wide range of food items. Although there are differences in the consumption of food items among sexes and age categories, the most consumed food categories were common in all water bodies sampled.