Behaviour

The specific ecology and difficulties of the Arakan forest turtle's (Heosemys depressa) subtropical and tropical damp forest environment in western Myanmar impact the turtle's habits and behaviour. This species has adapted to the several microhabitats it inhabits by displaying behaviours that are both terrestrial and semi-aquatic. Its habitat consists mostly of land, however it does spend time in wetland and stream regions, where it searches for food and shelter.

The Arakan forest turtle is a shy and evasive creature that loves to hide in its lush greenery. At milder temperatures and more humidity, it is most active in the mornings and late afternoons. To keep from becoming too hot, it can hide in the shade during the middle of the day.

The Arakan forest turtle is an opportunistic forager, meaning it will eat whatever is close by at the time. The omnivore diet of this species includes a wide variety of plants, fruits, and invertebrates. Biting and tearing plant material with its strong beak, it captures tiny prey including snails, worms, and insects.

Individuals of the Arakan forest turtle species display territorial behaviour by protecting their favourite nesting and feeding spots. When fighting for partners becomes fierce during mating season, males may also institute dominance hierarchies.

There is a lack of data on mating behaviour in the wild, however it is believed that visual and tactile cues are used in courtship displays.

Females look for good places to deposit their eggs during the mating season, which might start when the rains start falling. To shield their eggs from predators and changes in the environment, most nesting behaviours include burying the eggs in well-drained dirt or leaf litter. In order to keep their eggs secure once they've been laid, females will cover the nest and check on it from time to time.

The Arakan forest turtle provides very little care for its young once they hatch, leaving them to fend for themselves in the world. Due to high mortality rates caused by environmental variables and predation, hatchling survival rates are quite low. Those who make it to maturity, however, have a chance of living for decades, which bodes well for the species' chances of survival in the wild.