Home > Indian History > Flora & Fauna > Indian Turtles
Indian Turtles
The Indian Subcontinent provides suitable habitats to a species of reptiles called Turtles.

Share this Article:

Indian TurtlesThe Indian Subcontinent provides suitable habitats to various species of reptiles for residing and reproducing. Turtles are no exception in this regard. Various species of turtles have been recorded in different parts of India. These turtles are described below.

Black Pond Turtle
Black Pond Turtle has been recorded in north-eastern India. It is identified as a dark brown or blackish turtle with small yellowish spots and radiating streaks. It has a large head and a very short snout. There is a large shield covering the upper surface of the snout and the crown. The carapace of this turtle is much-elevated. Its plastron is large, angulated laterally and truncated anteriorly. This turtle has an extremely short tail.

Indian Eyed Turtle
Indian Eyed Turtle has been recorded in north-eastern India. Each side of the turtle"s head has three yellow streaks. Its snout is long and pointed. It has black carapace and yellow plastron. The nuchal and each marginal have a narrow, vertical yellowish mesial streak. A narrow yellowish mesial line is present on each of its vertebral. A yellowish linear horseshoe mark with both ends directed forward is present on the last four vertebrals.

Assam Roofed Turtle
Assam Roofed Turtle has been traced in the Brahmaputra-Meghna drainage in India. This turtle has a small head with a narrow pink stripe running from the back of each eye to the middle of the back of the head. It has a weakly hooked upper jaw. Its carapace, which is olive-brown in color has been described as triangular and elevated with a prominent spiked keel and strongly serrated marginal plates.Indian Turtles

Cantor`s Giant Softshell Turtle
Cantor`s Giant Softshell Turtle has been traced in eastern and southern India. This endangered freshwater turtle is identified as having a broad head and small eyes close to the tip of its snout. It has a smooth and olive-colored carapace. Juveniles may have dark-spotted carapaces and heads.

Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle
Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle has been recorded in north-eastern India. The head of this turtle is moderate in size and the snout is obtuse and moderately prominent. Its limbs have transversely enlarged, band-like scales which are colored brown above and yellowish below. Its nape has red longitudinal lines.

Amboina Box Turtle
Amboina Box Turtle has been traced in the eastern India and on Nicobar Islands. This turtle can be described as having blackish-brown to olive brown colored shells. It has a blackish olive head with three yellow stripes on the side.

Other Indian Turtles
The names of some of the other Indian Turtles are Asian Leaf Turtle, Brahminy River Turtle and Leith`s Softshell Turtle.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in Flora & Fauna


Flora Of Uttarakhand
Uttaranchal falls under the west Himalayan Biogeography zone and it is well-known for floral diversity .
Flora and Fauna of Ladakh
Flora and Fauna is typical to t he kind of mountainous terrain which dominate the entire landscape of the region. Though some varieties of fauna are to be found here, the vegetation is very limited due to the dry and cold climate.
Flora and fauna in Tripura
Two-thirds of Tripura is forested where different species of trees, orchids, birds and wildlife are found. There are four sanctuaries in the state namely, Rowa wildlife sanctuary, Sepahijala wildlife sanctuary, Trishna wildlife sanctuary and Gumti wildlife sanctuary.
Flora and Fauna in Meghalaya
70 percent of Meghalaya is forested. Meghalayan forests are considered to be among the richest botanical habitats of Asia. These forests receive abundant rainfall and support a vast variety of floral and faunal biodiversity.
Flora and Fauna of Jammu & Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir is rich in flora and fauna. Flora includes thorn bush type of the arid plain to the temperate and alpine flora of the higher altitudes. Faunal species found here are leopard, cheetah and deer, wild sheep, bear, brown musk shrew, muskrat; varieties of snakes, bats, lizards etc.
Flora and fauna in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Economy of this region is primly based on agriculture. In Andaman island, paddy is the main food crop, while in Nicoabar island coconut and areca nut are the main crops. Some field crops like pulses, oilseeds and vegetables are also grown here.
Flora And Fauna Of Uttar Pradesh
Flora and Fauna of Uttar Pradesh is widely diversified and adds pride to the state.
Flora and fauna of Kerala
Flora and Fauna of Kerala are diverse. The favourable climate with heavy rainfall and good quality of the soils helps both the flora and fauna to thrive. Forest covers a large area in the Western Ghats of Kerala.
Flora and fauna of Karnataka
Flora and fauna of Karnataka are diverse and comprise of plants, animals, birds, reptiles, etc. Flora of Karnataka comprises of species like eucalyptus, teak and rosewood. Fauna of Karnataka comprises of species like leopard, gaur and wild pig.
Flora and Fauna of Rajasthan
The flora and fauna of Rajasthan supports all kinds of animal species and forests. The diverse flora and fauna of Rajasthan has made it a popular tourist destination.
Flora of Arunachal Pradesh
Flora of Arunachal Pradesh includes infinite species and is a subject of great interests for the botanists.
Flora and Fauna of Manipur
Flora and fauna of Manipur are known to be the assemblage of a huge variety including the endangered ones. The place is especially famed for orchid species which includes the most vibrant and beautiful ones of the world.