One of the 41 turtles and tortoises on WAnimals
Reptiles · Testudines · Geoemydidae
Batagur baska
At extremely high risk of imminent extinction in the wild.
The northern river terrapin is one of the most threatened turtles on the planet: fewer than a hundred known breeding females remain, spread across a few rivers in India and Bangladesh. In the breeding season the males take on spectacular colours: the head turns black and the neck an intense red, a change that is highly unusual among turtles.
Weight
18 kg – 37 kg
Size
50 cm – 60 cm
Life expectancy
60 years
Diet
Omnivore
Combines animal and plant food depending on availability.
Activity
Nocturnal
Active mainly at night.
Social structure
Solitary
Lives and hunts alone, joining others only to breed.
Estimated population
Fewer than 100 known breeding females
Sources consulted: Wikipedia (en): Northern river terrapin
The pins mark the parks where its presence is documented.
Parks and dive sites where this species has been documented.
Other species in the catalogue with the most in common with Northern River Terrapin — same habitat, park, country, tags or family.
The northern river terrapin is classified as critically endangered. Organisations such as the IUCN, WWF and the Wildlife Conservation Society work specifically on its conservation and that of its habitat; looking into their programmes is a good starting point if you want to get involved.
It's documented in 1 protected area — one reason why protecting these places matters for its conservation.
Based on what we already know about northern river terrapin.