Wildlifeof India
Assam Roofed Turtle
Tortoises & Freshwater Turtles
Photo: (c) Anirban Datta-Roy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY (May be cropped or resized)
Pangshura sylhetensis
Basic stats
Habitat
Upland tropical moist forest and fast-flowing streams; possibly small rivers
Range
Brahmaputra–Meghna drainage in Assam and the Terai Arc, India, and eastern Bangladesh; possibly Bhutan
Clutch size
6–12 eggs
Size
Carapace up to 20.5cm; 16cm more common
The Assam roofed turtle, or Sylhet roofed turtle, is a freshwater turtle of the family Geoemydidae. The carapace is olive brown with a lighter, yellowish to beige keel. The head is small with a weakly hooked upper jaw, and a narrow pink stripe runs from the back of each eye to the middle of the back of the head. Adults may reach 20.5 cm, though 16 cm is more common (Wikipedia, general species account).
It is found in the Brahmaputra–Meghna drainage in Assam and the Terai Arc region of India and in eastern Bangladesh, and possibly Bhutan, in habitats of upland tropical moist forest and fast-flowing streams. Nesting takes place between late October and February, in the cool, dry season, with clutches of 6 to 12 eggs. The eggs need a cooler diapause of 6 to 8 weeks to hatch successfully.
Quick answers
- What habitat does the Assam Roofed Turtle live in?
- Upland tropical moist forest and fast-flowing streams; possibly small rivers
- Where is the Assam Roofed Turtle found?
- Brahmaputra–Meghna drainage in Assam and the Terai Arc, India, and eastern Bangladesh; possibly Bhutan
- How many eggs does the Assam Roofed Turtle lay?
- 6–12 eggs
- How big is the Assam Roofed Turtle?
- Carapace up to 20.5cm; 16cm more common