Skip to Content

Northern River Terrapin (Batagur baska)

Taxonomy
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: ​Animalia
Phylum : ​ ​Chordata
Class : ​Reptilia
Order : ​ ​Testudines
Suborder: ​ ​​Cryptodira 
Superfamily : ​Testudinoidea
Family : ​​Geoemydidae
Genus : ​ ​ Batagur
Species : B. baska (Gray, 1830)

Common Names
 River Terrapin, Batagur and Four-toed Terrapin

Conservation Status

IWPA : Schedule I

Cites : ​ ​Appendix I

  • Not Evaluated

  • Data Deficient

  • LC

    Least Concern

  • NT

    Near Threatened

  • VU

    Vulnerable

  • EN

    Endangered

  • CR

    Critically Endangered

  • EW

    Extinct in the wild

  • EX

    Extinct

Geographical Distribution

The northern river terrapin is native to Bangladesh, India, Cambodia, Malaysia and Indonesia. However, it is regionally extinct in Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore. In India, this species inhabits the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Mahanandi River systems, as well as the tidal zones of estuaries and mangrove forests.

 

General Information  
The breeding season of Northern River terrapin occurs during the rainy season from June to August. Females lay their eggs in sandy soil on riverbanks or sandbanks, often nesting in colonies. Each clutch consists of 10-34 eggs, with an incubation period of approximately 60-90 days. Hatchlings typically emerge in the post-monsoon season (November-December). These turtles inhabit large, muddy tidal rivers, coastal mangrove estuaries and creeks and are closely associated with the mangrove forests of the Sundarbans. They are omnivorous, feeding on waterside plants and small animals, including clams.

Threats
- Habitat loss due to pollution and activities like logging, which cause siltation and sedimentation.
- Hunting of eggs and overharvesting for food
- Drowning in fishing nets .
- Accidental death by power boats.
- Destructive fishing practices.

Aquatic Species / Turtles /   Northern River Terrapin