Indian flapshell turtle

They get their name from flaps of skin that cover their limbs as they retract into the shell

Rejoice Gassah

They live in the shallow, often stagnant waters of rivers, streams, marshes, ponds, and lakes. Indian flap shell turtles prefer water with mud bottoms because they tend to burrow themselves at the water bottom. Both physically and behaviorally, they are particularly well suited to drought circumstances.

Some individuals have been reported to live without water for as long as 160 days. The flap shell turtle plays a vital role in freshwater ecosystems. They feed on dead animals found on and near the water’s edge. Once many of them were released into the Indian river Ganga so that they feed on the remains of the deceased left in the river.

Distribution

Country
Population est.
Status
Year
Comments
Afghanistan
2018
Possibly Extant
Bangladesh
2018
India
2018
Myanmar
2018
Nepal
2018
Pakistan
2018

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Terrestrial / Aquatic

Altricial / Precocial

Polygamous / Monogamous

Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic

Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd

Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

Migratory: Yes / No

Domesticated: Yes / No

Dangerous: Yes / No