The Indian Subcontinent provides suitable habitats to various species of reptiles for residing and reproducing. Turtles are no exception in this regard. Various species of turtles have been recorded in different parts of India. These turtles are described below.
Black Pond Turtle
Black Pond Turtle has been recorded in north-eastern India. It is identified as a dark brown or blackish turtle with small yellowish spots and radiating streaks. It has a large head and a very short snout. There is a large shield covering the upper surface of the snout and the crown. The carapace of this turtle is much-elevated. Its plastron is large, angulated laterally and truncated anteriorly. This turtle has an extremely short tail.
Indian Eyed Turtle
Indian Eyed Turtle has been recorded in north-eastern India. Each side of the turtle"s head has three yellow streaks. Its snout is long and pointed. It has black carapace and yellow plastron. The nuchal and each marginal have a narrow, vertical yellowish mesial streak. A narrow yellowish mesial line is present on each of its vertebral. A yellowish linear horseshoe mark with both ends directed forward is present on the last four vertebrals.
Assam Roofed Turtle
Assam Roofed Turtle has been traced in the Brahmaputra-Meghna drainage in India. This turtle has a small head with a narrow pink stripe running from the back of each eye to the middle of the back of the head. It has a weakly hooked upper jaw. Its carapace, which is olive-brown in color has been described as triangular and elevated with a prominent spiked keel and strongly serrated marginal plates.
Cantor`s Giant Softshell Turtle
Cantor`s Giant Softshell Turtle has been traced in eastern and southern India. This endangered freshwater turtle is identified as having a broad head and small eyes close to the tip of its snout. It has a smooth and olive-colored carapace. Juveniles may have dark-spotted carapaces and heads.
Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle
Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle has been recorded in north-eastern India. The head of this turtle is moderate in size and the snout is obtuse and moderately prominent. Its limbs have transversely enlarged, band-like scales which are colored brown above and yellowish below. Its nape has red longitudinal lines.
Amboina Box Turtle
Amboina Box Turtle has been traced in the eastern India and on Nicobar Islands. This turtle can be described as having blackish-brown to olive brown colored shells. It has a blackish olive head with three yellow stripes on the side.
Other Indian Turtles
The names of some of the other Indian Turtles are Asian Leaf Turtle, Brahminy River Turtle and Leith`s Softshell Turtle.
