Indian roofed turtle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Indian roofed turtle |
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| Indian roofed turtle in KNP Bharatpur | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pangshura
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| Species: |
tecta
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| Synonyms | |
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The Indian roofed turtle (Pangshura tecta) is a type of turtle found in the major rivers of South Asia. It belongs to the family Geoemydidae. You can easily spot it by the unique "roof" shape on the top part of its shell. This turtle is often kept as a pet in the Indian Subcontinent.
Contents
What Does the Indian Roofed Turtle Look Like?
The Indian roofed turtle has a shell that looks like a roof, which is how it got its name. Its shell can grow up to about 23 centimeters (9 inches) long. The shell is usually brown, but sometimes it has yellow or orange edges. There is also a red or orange stripe down the middle of its back.
The turtle's head is black with bright orange or yellowish-red spots on each side, near its temples. These spots might even join together to form a V-shape. Its jaws are yellow, and its neck has many yellow stripes on a black background. Its legs are dark olive or gray with yellow spots.
How to Tell Males and Females Apart
Male Indian roofed turtles are usually brighter in color than females. They also have longer, thicker tails. The vent (where waste comes out) on males is past the edge of their shell.
Female turtles have shorter tails. Their vent is located under their shell. Females also tend to grow larger than males.
Where Do Indian Roofed Turtles Live?
This turtle prefers calm, still waters. You can find them in quiet streams, canals, oxbow lakes, ponds, and even man-made water tanks. They also live in brackish waters, which are a mix of fresh and saltwater, near the coast.
They like places with a soft bottom and lots of water plants. These turtles enjoy basking in the early morning sun. Basking helps them control their body temperature. It also helps them make Vitamin D, which is important for their health.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Male Indian roofed turtles develop a small bump on their tail in October, just before the breeding season. This bump disappears in March. It might help them during courtship with females. During courtship, the male swims alongside the female or circles her.
Female turtles lay their eggs in different months, including October, December, January, and February. In Bangladesh, they might lay eggs in two separate periods: from early December to mid-January, and again from mid-February to late March.
They dig a nest that is usually 14–20 centimeters (5.5–8 inches) deep. A clutch (group of eggs) can have 3 to 14 eggs. These eggs are usually elongated, about 3.5–4.5 cm long and 2.1–2.9 cm wide. Some reports mention up to 15 oval-shaped eggs. The eggs are white and might turn bluish when they are about to hatch. It takes about 70 to 144 days for the eggs to hatch naturally. When they hatch, baby turtles are about 3.4–3.5 cm long and weigh around 7 grams.
What Do Indian Roofed Turtles Eat?
The Indian roofed turtle is an omnivore. This means it eats both plants and animals. They feed on aquatic plants like water hyacinths and other weeds. They also hunt small animals such as crabs and snails. Sometimes, they will also eat dead animals they find, acting as scavengers.
Where Are Indian Roofed Turtles Found?
The Indian roofed turtle lives in the river systems of Ganges, Brahmaputra, Indus, and Mahanadi. These rivers are located in Pakistan, northern and peninsular India, and Bangladesh.
