Place in the sun

[shreeram]

On a cool and cloudy November morning at Kaziranga National Park, we were driving along a stream. We came across Assam Roofed Turtles basking on the dry branches over the water surface.

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A very interesting episode ensued. Two turtles were sitting facing each other on a fallen tree.

Turtles facing each other

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The turtle at the top was making gestures with its head and body, while the other turtle stood relatively still.

Top Turtle displaying

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Top Turtle displaying

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Eventually, the turtle at the top turned around and moved up the fallen tree.

Top turtle turning back

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Top turtle turning back

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The whole episode lasted almost 10 minutes. We wondered what the basis of this behavior was - Was it a mating display? Was it a youthful joust? Based on the position of the turtle below, we reached a conclusion that it was a territorial dispute - the turtle at the top wanted its place in the sun.

Is this the correct explanation of this behavior?

[Vijay Mohan Raj]

Nice visual story here. Really very intriguing behavior.

[Ganesh H Shankar]

While I don't have an explanation for this behaviour it would very interesting if they are fighting for sun lit area
Nice sequence here..