Lissemys ceylonensis

(Gray, 1856)

Vernacular names
English : Sri Lankan flapshell turtle
French : Tortue molle du Sri Lanka

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

Identification
Adults can grow to a shell length of about 35 cm. Large triangular head with short broad snout. Domed shell with flattened sides. Coloration usually brown with yellow to cream-white underside and sometimes yellow spots on back.

Range and habitat
The species has been split from L. punctata and occurs only in Sri Lanka, throughout the island. Lives in freshwater rivers and lakes, mostly in lowlands, with muddy bottoms.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : VULNERABLE
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species has recently been assessed as Vulnerable. It is threatened by habitat loss and water pollution amongst other threats.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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