Red-crowned roofed turtle (Batagur Kachuga)
Taxonomy
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum
: Chordata
Class : Reptilia
Order : Testudines
Suborder: Cryptodira
Superfamily: Testudinoidea
Family : Geoemydidae
Genus : Batagur
Species : B. kachuga (Gray, 1831)
Common Names
Bengal roof turtle.
IWPA : Schedule I
Cites : Appendix I
Conservation Status
Geographical Distribution
The Red-crowned roofed turtle is native to India, Bangladesh and Nepal. It was once widely in the Ganga River and the Brahmaputra basin. In India, the National Chambal Sanctuary, located along the Chambal River, serves the countries only protected riverine habitat for this species. However, even in this sanctuary, the turtles remain rare, making it one of the last viable habitats for their survival.
General Information
The courtship of adult red-crowned roofed turtles is observed from September to October, Males develop bright colours on their faces and necks to attract females. Females dig nests in river sandbanks or gravelly banks of rivers or streams. Females lay clutches of 11-30 eggs in March and April. This freshwater turtle species inhabits deep, flowing rivers with terrestrial nesting sites and spends most of its time in water. During the day, they come out to bask in the sun on rocks, logs and sandbanks. Red-crowned roofed turtles are herbivores, primarily folivores and frugivores, feeding entirely on aquatic plants and fruits.
Threats
- Loss or degradation of habitat due to pollution.
- Disturbing human activities on or along the rivers, irrigation and irregular flow from the upstream dams and reservoirs.
- Hydrological projects, river flow dynamics, nesting beaches and water pollution.
- Drowning by illegal fishing nets
- Poaching and overharvesting for illegal consumption and trade.
Aquatic Species / Turtles / Red-crowned roofed turtle