Lifespan, longevity, and ageing
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Maximum longevity: 18 years (captivity)
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- Joao Pedro de Magalhaes
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- de Magalhaes, J. P.
Biology
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The crowned river turtle is primarily a herbivorous reptile, consuming a diet of aquatic plants and vegetation that falls into the water (2) (3), although it may also occasionally feed on freshwater shrimp, small fish (2), and frogs (3). Like all turtles, this species has no teeth, and instead uses its sharp jaws to cut food (4). When not feeding, it spends much of its time resting on the bottom (3), burying itself into the mud if it feels threatened (2). At other times, it may be seen floating quietly at the surface of the water as it basks in the warmth of the sun (3).
Courtship in the crowned river turtle is said to take place from April to July, when the male uses his forelimbs to produce a drumming sound and some mouth to mouth contact may occur between the male and female, before mating (3). Nesting has been reported to take place between August and January, with the exact timing depending on the location (2) (3). Using its hindlimbs, this turtle digs a nest in sandy soil, into which 14 to 19 elongated eggs are laid. The hatchlings, which have more brightly coloured shells than the adults, measure around just six centimetres long (3).
Conservation
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There are currently no specific conservation measures known to be in place for this threatened turtle.
Description
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The crowned river turtle is a large freshwater reptile, with a dark grey, brown or black upper shell (carapace). The borders between the large bony plates that make up the shell are yellow and the rim of the shell may also be yellow (2) (3). The undershell of the crowned river turtle is yellow with a large dark blotch on each scute. The brown or black head, patterned with several yellow stripes, has a rounded and rather short snout (3). All four of the limbs bear webbed toes, perfectly suited to their aquatic habitat, and are brown or dark grey edged with yellow or cream (2) (3). Male and female crowned river turtles differ remarkably in their appearance, with males being just one third the length of females (2). The small males also have a thicker and longer tail and the undershell is slightly concave (3).
Habitat
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This semi-aquatic turtle inhabits rivers, canals, lakes and ponds, where it is found in areas with little current, abundant aquatic vegetation, and muddy bottoms (1) (2) (3). Very rarely, it will come out of the water to bask (2).
Range
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The crowned river turtle occurs in Pakistan, northern Indian, Nepal and Bangladesh (1), in the watersheds of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Indus rivers (3).
Status
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Classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List (1).
Threats
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This turtle is considered to be vulnerable to extinction (1), after hunting has left populations decimated (2). For many years the flesh of this large turtle has been eaten by people, and it can still be found for sale in the markets of India and Bangladesh. Sometimes this species is also collected for export to China (2).
Brahminy river turtle
provided by wikipedia EN
The brahminy river turtle or crowned river turtle (Hardella thurjii) is a species of turtle in the family Geoemydidae. The species is endemic to South Asia.
Taxonomy
The genus Hardella, to which the species Hardella thurjii belongs, is a monotypic genus.
Geographic range
Hardella thurjii is found in northern India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh in the watersheds of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Indus rivers.
Description
Hardella thurjii has a shell with a large, moderately flat, dark brown or black carapace (dorsal surface) and a yellow or black plastron (ventral surface).[4] The shell is up to 18 inches (460 mm) in length in females, and is shorter in males.[5] The lower jaw is heavily dented.
Sexual dimorphism
Hardella thurjii exhibits sexual dimorphism. Mature females are three times the size of mature males. According to Das, maximum straight carapace length in females is 61 cm (24 in), but in males maximum straight carapace length is only 18 cm (7.1 in).[6]
Reproduction
The reproductive habits of H. thurjii are unique among reptiles in that the females lay their eggs under water rather than on dry land. Their reproductive cycle follows seasonal changes in the water levels of the rivers in which they live. In autumn, females lay their eggs under water, where higher water levels submerge the eggs for 40 to 45 days. In the winter, lower water levels expose the eggs for five months. The rising water levels of spring submerge the almost mature eggs once again, and the turtles hatch in the river.
Indian zoologist Dhruvajyoti Basu first documented the unique reproductive habits of the brahminy river turtle in 2011. The Prague Zoo incubated the first brahminy river turtle which was born in captivity in 2012.[7]
References
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^ Ahmed, M.F., Praschag, P. & Singh, S. (2021). "Hardella thurjii". The IUCNhttps://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T9696A3152073.en. Downloaded on 23 April 2021.
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^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
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^ Fritz, Uwe; Havaš, Peter (2007). "Checklist of Chelonians of the World" (PDF). Vertebrate Zoology. 57 (2): 223–224. ISSN 1864-5755. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-01. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
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^ Boulenger GA (1889). Catalogue of the Chelonians, Rhynchocephalians, and Crocodiles in the British Museum (Natural History). New Edition. London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). x + 311 pp. + Plates I-VI. ASIN: B004QM945U, University of Toronto Libraries, 2001. (Hardella thurgi, pp. 63-66, Figures 18-19).
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^ Boulenger GA (1890). The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma. Reptilia and Batrachia. London: Secretary of State for India in Council. (Taylor and Francis, printers). xviii + 541 pp. (Hardella thurgi, pp. 36-37).
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^ Das 2002.
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^ Muñoz, Orlando M.; Castillo, M.; Feliciano, A. San (1990). "Screen Director: The largest turtle thriller". Journal of Natural Products. 53: 200–203. doi:10.1021/np50067a032.
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Brahminy river turtle: Brief Summary
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The brahminy river turtle or crowned river turtle (Hardella thurjii) is a species of turtle in the family Geoemydidae. The species is endemic to South Asia.
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