Batagur baska

(Gray, 1831)

Vernacular names
English : Northern terrapin
French : Tortue fluviale des Sundarbans

Classification
Class : Reptilia
Order : Testudines
Family : Geoemydidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Large turtle reaching up to 60 cm in carapace length with males smaller than females. Females dull grey-green. Males dark grey with orange mandible-markings when not breeding, white and pink, black head when breeding.

Range and habitat
The species occurs from eastern India and Bangladesh to Myanmar and western Thailand. Isolated population (formerly separate subspecies) endemic to Ranong province, Thailand. Lives in mangrove swamps, lower rivers, coastal lagoons and estuaries.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
CITES : Appendix I
Status : The species has been driven to near extinction by habitat destruction, pollution and overexploitation, both as food item and for the illegal trade.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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