What is the Indian softshell turtle?
Q: What is the Indian softshell turtle?
A: The Indian softshell turtle is a species of softshell turtle found in rivers in India and Bangladesh.
Q: What is the size of the Indian softshell turtle's shell?
A: The Indian softshell turtle's shell can be up to 94 cm (37 inches) in length.
Q: What does the Indian softshell turtle feed on?
A: The Indian softshell turtle feeds mostly on fish, amphibians, carrion and other animal matter, but also eats aquatic plants.
Q: Why is the Indian softshell turtle listed as a vulnerable species?
A: The Indian softshell turtle is listed as a vulnerable species due to threats such as the selling of turtle meat, habitat loss and changes caused by dam building, drainage works, and increasing levels of fishing and farming.
Q: What makes the Indian softshell turtle able to swim very fast?
A: The Indian softshell turtle's oval shaped shell, which is also fairly flat and smooth, makes it able to swim very fast.
Q: Are Indian softshell turtles considered sacred in some areas?
A: Yes, Indian softshell turtles are often kept in the temple ponds of Odisha where they are considered sacred.
Q: How much turtle meat is sold in the markets every week, threatening the Indian softshell turtle?
A: 30 to 40 tons of turtle meat is sold in the markets every week, which is a threat to the Indian softshell turtle.
