Geoclemys hamiltonii

(Gray, 1831)

Vernacular names
English : Black pond turtle
French : Tortue d’Hamilton

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

Identification
This species reaches a shell length of 40 cm for a weight of 6 kg. Wide domed shell with three series of keel-like scutes on back. Head and neck black with conspicuous yellow spots. Shell is mostly black for adults, spotted for juveniles.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in southern Asia, from Pakistan to north India and from central north India to south Nepal, Bangladesh and north Myanmar. Lives in shallow waterbodies with lots of vegetation, large rivers.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : ENDANGERED
CITES : Appendix I
Status : The species is endangered as its habitat is getting more and more destroyed and polluted. The species is also traded in big numbers.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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