Ganges Soft-Shell Turtle

Ganges Soft-Shell Turtle Latest News

Recently, India’s first satellite-tagged Ganges soft-shell turtle was released in the 1,302 sq. km Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve in Assam.

About Ganges Soft-Shell Turtle

• It is one of the largest freshwater turtle species in the world. 
• It is also known as the Indian softshell turtles (Nilssonia gangetica)
• Appearance
  • It has carapace (upper shell), which is round to oval shaped, and green in colour with a yellow border.
  • It has a long neck and tube-like snouts help them to extend their nose out of the water to breathe.
  • The compressed shell, on the other hand, streamlines them, thereby making them brilliant and fast swimmers.
• Habitat: These turtles inhabit deep rivers, streams, canals, lakes and ponds, typically preferring areas with sandy or muddy bottoms.
• They thrive in turbid water and spend most of their time hidden under the sand.
• Geographical Distribution: They are found in Afghanistan, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
  • Mainly found in Indus, Ganges, Meghna, Brahmaputra, Yamuna, Narmada and Mahanandi river basins.
• Diet: Indian softshell turtles are omnivorous, feeding on fish, amphibians, mollusks, insects, carrion and aquatic plants. 
• These turtles breed from February to April.
• Cultural Significance: These are often maintained in the temple ponds of Orissa where they are considered sacred.
• Threat: Habitat alteration and destruction, Poaching and illegal trading for traditional medicines, expansion of agriculture, commercial exploitation.

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Ganges Soft-Shell Turtle Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Endangered
• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I.

Source: TH