Geographical Distribution
The Indian black turtle is found in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the Maldives. It may also be found in Pakistan and China. This species inhabits rivers and other standing water bodies across India, including the Western Ghats, the southeast coast and the northern and north-eastern regions. It is found in the Indus and Ganga River drainages, spanning from Pakistan to Bangladesh and also in northeast India.

General Information  
The Indian black turtle mates during the wet season, which occurs between August and October. After mating, the female digs a nest in the ground or occasionally in a pile of rhinoceros or elephant dung. While building the nest, the female uses her left hind leg to excavate the nest and her right hind leg to clear the excess material. She lays 2-6 clutches, each containing 1 to 4 eggs, in burrows per year. The eggs are incubated for 60-65 days and hatch during the summer. Indian black turtles are semi-aquatic and are most active during the early morning and evening, spending most of the day basking in the sun. They enjoy basking on the banks of water bodies, tree trunks or on land. As omnivores, their diet includes various aquatic plants, aquatic insects, and even carrion.   

Threats
- Habitat is lost due to dams, barrages, pollution and conversion of land for agriculture.
- Hunting for food and eggs.
- Illegal poaching and trade.
- Drowning in fishing nets.