Species Details

@bangladeshpythonproject

Arakan Forest Turtle Did you see this animal?

Scientific Name : Heosemys depressa
Family : Geoemydidae
Order : Testudines
Class : Reptilia
Phylum : Chordata
Habitat : Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh
 
Description : The Arakan Forest Turtle is a medium-sized turtle, with males typically growing to around 20 centimeters (8 inches) in length, while females can reach up to 30 centimeters (12 inches).

The shell of this species is domed and brown to black in color, with yellowish lines or spots. The plastron (underside of the shell) is yellowish in color.

This turtle is found in the forests and streams of the Arakan Hills in western Myanmar.

The Arakan Forest Turtle is an omnivore, feeding on a variety of plant and animal matter, including fruit, insects, and small vertebrates.

This species is primarily active during the day, and is known for its shy and elusive behavior. It spends much of its time hiding under leaves, logs, and other debris.

Little is known about the reproductive behavior of this species in the wild, but captive breeding programs have been established to help conserve the species.

The Arakan Forest Turtle is considered to be one of the world's most endangered turtles, with only a few hundred individuals remaining in the wild. The major threats to the species include habitat loss, hunting for food and traditional medicine, and collection for the pet trade.
 
Distribution in Bangladesh
References:
description written by: Durjoy Raha Antu,Department of Zoology, Jagannath University,Dhaka; information source:en.wikipedia.org photo credit:bangladeshpythonproject(www.inaturalist.org/people/bangladeshpythonproject), photo copyright: iNaturalist. more information please contact with us.