Indian Tent Turtle Did you see this animal?
Scientific Name : Pangshura tentoria
Family : Geoemydidae
Order : Testudines
Class : Reptilia
Phylum : Chordata
Other Name : Tent Turtle,Deccan Saw-backed Terrapin, South Indian Roofed Turtle
Habitat : Freshwater bodies with planty of aquatic vegetation.
Description : The Indian Tent Turtle is a unique, crawling reptile and is aptly named after its tent-like appearance of their high vaulted shells that feature hump-like’ projections on the keel.
They have one or two brownish to red dots behind their eyes; a significant marker, which differentiates them from Indian roofed turtles that have a crescent-shaped red mark behind the eyes.
These turtles are small sized; the males averages 3.5” – 5”, while the females are slightly bigger ranging between 5’- 9”. The male Indian tent turtles are brightly colored compared to the females and have longer and thicker tails.
Due to the pink band on the seams of their carapace, they are also known as Indian pinked ring tent turtle. They also have some pink markings on the prominent projections on the keel.
Indian tent turtles are mainly omnivorous and consume a wide variety of aquatic plants and animals in the wild. As pets, their diet consists of crickets, worms, shrimps, fruits, leafy vegetables and other natural foods in addition to the commercial available turtle foods.
They have one or two brownish to red dots behind their eyes; a significant marker, which differentiates them from Indian roofed turtles that have a crescent-shaped red mark behind the eyes.
These turtles are small sized; the males averages 3.5” – 5”, while the females are slightly bigger ranging between 5’- 9”. The male Indian tent turtles are brightly colored compared to the females and have longer and thicker tails.
Due to the pink band on the seams of their carapace, they are also known as Indian pinked ring tent turtle. They also have some pink markings on the prominent projections on the keel.
Indian tent turtles are mainly omnivorous and consume a wide variety of aquatic plants and animals in the wild. As pets, their diet consists of crickets, worms, shrimps, fruits, leafy vegetables and other natural foods in addition to the commercial available turtle foods.
Distribution in Bangladesh
Other Species from Group
-
Melanochelys trijuga
(Pond Tortoise) -
Cyclemys gemeli
(Asian Leaf Turtle) -
Heosemys depressa
(Arakan Forest Turtle) -
Cuora amboinensis
(Malayan Box Turtle) -
Melanochelys tricarinata
(Tricarinate Hill Turtle) -
Morenia petersi
(Bengal Eyed Turtle) -
Geoclemys hamiltonii
(Black Spotted Pond Turtle) -
Batagur baska
(River Terrapin) -
Batagur kachuga
(Bengal Roof Turtle) -
Pangshura smithii
(Brown Roofed Turtle)
Species groups
References:
description written by: Durjoy Raha Antu,Department of Zoology, Jagannath University,Dhaka; information source:Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh, Vol. 25. Amphibians and Reptiles. Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Dhaka 204 pp.; photo credit:Charles J. Sharp (wikimedia), photo copyright: iNaturalist. more information please contact with us.
description written by: Durjoy Raha Antu,Department of Zoology, Jagannath University,Dhaka; information source:Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh, Vol. 25. Amphibians and Reptiles. Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Dhaka 204 pp.; photo credit:Charles J. Sharp (wikimedia), photo copyright: iNaturalist. more information please contact with us.