Small-headed softshell turtle
Indian narrow-headed softshell turtle (Chitra indica ) also known as small-headed softshell turtle is an endangered species of softshell turtle found in rivers of the Indian subcontinent. It is very large and feeds on fish, frogs, crustaceans and molluscs, which it ambushes. In the past it was included in Chitra chitra ; a species restricted to Southeast Asia using current taxonomy.
This species is found in the Sutlaj and Indus river basins of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and Ganges, Godavari, Mahanadi and other rivers basins of India, Nepal and Bangladesh. Although widespread, it occurs in low densities, even within protected areas. It is threatened by hunting and habitat loss. It prefers clear, large or medium rivers with sandy bottoms. It spends most of time concealed below the sand, sometimes with only the tip of the nose exposed.
