Ganges Soft-shell Turtle Did you see this animal?
Scientific Name : Nilssonia gangetica
Family : Trionychidae
Order : Testudines
Class : Reptilia
Phylum : Chordata
Other Name : Indian Softshell Turtle
Habitat : Major River.
Description : The Ganges softshell turtle has a soft, leathery, olive-green or brownish shell that lacks the hard, bony plates found in other turtle species. The shell is flattened, smooth and elongated, resembling a pancake or a frisbee. The turtle's head and neck are elongated, with a pointed snout and large nostrils at the end of the snout.
Adult Ganges softshell turtles can grow up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) in length and weigh up to 50 kilograms (110 pounds), although most individuals are smaller than this.
The Ganges softshell turtle is found in the rivers, streams, and ponds of South Asia, particularly in the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Indus river basins. They prefer slow-moving or stagnant water bodies with sandy or muddy bottoms and plenty of aquatic vegetation.
The Ganges softshell turtle is carnivorous and feeds primarily on fish, crustaceans, and other aquatic invertebrates.
The Ganges softshell turtle is generally solitary and spends much of its time basking in the sun on sandbars or submerged logs. They are strong swimmers and can remain underwater for up to 30 minutes.
The Ganges softshell turtle is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to habitat loss, overfishing, pollution, and poaching for its meat and eggs.
Conservation efforts are underway to protect the Ganges softshell turtle, including captive breeding programs, habitat restoration, and awareness campaigns aimed at reducing demand for turtle products.
Adult Ganges softshell turtles can grow up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) in length and weigh up to 50 kilograms (110 pounds), although most individuals are smaller than this.
The Ganges softshell turtle is found in the rivers, streams, and ponds of South Asia, particularly in the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Indus river basins. They prefer slow-moving or stagnant water bodies with sandy or muddy bottoms and plenty of aquatic vegetation.
The Ganges softshell turtle is carnivorous and feeds primarily on fish, crustaceans, and other aquatic invertebrates.
The Ganges softshell turtle is generally solitary and spends much of its time basking in the sun on sandbars or submerged logs. They are strong swimmers and can remain underwater for up to 30 minutes.
The Ganges softshell turtle is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to habitat loss, overfishing, pollution, and poaching for its meat and eggs.
Conservation efforts are underway to protect the Ganges softshell turtle, including captive breeding programs, habitat restoration, and awareness campaigns aimed at reducing demand for turtle products.
Distribution in Bangladesh
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Species groups
References:
description written by: Durjoy Raha Antu,Department of Zoology, Jagannath University,Dhaka; information source; photo credit:Harsha Jayaramaiah(www.inaturalist.org/people/Harsha Jayaramaiah), photo copyright: iNaturalist. more information please contact with us.
description written by: Durjoy Raha Antu,Department of Zoology, Jagannath University,Dhaka; information source; photo credit:Harsha Jayaramaiah(www.inaturalist.org/people/Harsha Jayaramaiah), photo copyright: iNaturalist. more information please contact with us.