About Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle:
- The red-crowned roofed turtle, or Bengal roof turtle, is a species of freshwater turtle endemic to South Asia.
- Scientific Name: Batagur kachuga
- Distribution:
- It is native to India, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
- Historically, the species was widespread in the Ganga River, both in India and Bangladesh.
- It also occurs in the Brahmaputra basin.
- Currently in India, the National Chambal River Gharial Sanctuary is the only area with a substantial population of the species.
- Features:
- It is a medium-sized turtle that can grow up to 56 cm in length and can weigh up to 25 kg.
- In comparison to their female counterparts, the males are shorter and reach only half their length.
- They have a reddish-orange colored head with a black crown and a greenish-brown carapace (upper shell) with yellowish patterns.
- Their plastron (lower shell) is yellow with black markings.
- They have a broad head, strong jaws and webbed feet.
- It is omnivorous and feeds on a variety of plants and animals.
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN : Critically Endangered
- Wild Life (Protection) Act of 1972: Schedule I
- CITES : Appendix II
