Himalayan Tricarinate Hill Turtle

About Himalayan Tricarinate Hill Turtle

• The tricarinate hill turtle or three-keeled land turtle (Melanochelys tricarinata) is a small terrestrial turtle species belonging to the family Geoemydidae.
• Habitat: The turtle mainly inhabits temperate forests, riverine grasslands, foothills of the Himalayas, moist deciduous forests, and wet evergreen forests with perennial water sources.
• Distribution: The species is found across the narrow sub-Himalayan belt covering northeastern India, southern Nepal, southern Bhutan, and northern Bangladesh.
• Characteristics:
  • Body Features: The species has a highly domed carapace, a small olive-to-dark coloured head with a narrow snout, and robust scaly limbs adapted for terrestrial movement.
  • Appearance: The turtle derives its name from the three distinct keels present on its shell.
  • Behaviour: It is a shy, secretive, and primarily terrestrial species that is rarely spotted even within its normal habitat range.
  • Size: It is a small to medium-sized turtle with a carapace length reaching up to 174 mm.
  • Reproduction: The species lays eggs at a time during winter months, and the incubation period ranges from 60 to 72 days.
  • Omnivorous. Their diet consists of earthworms, insects, mushrooms, and various plant materials.
• Major Threats: The turtle depends heavily on dense forests, intact microhabitats, and minimal human disturbance, making habitat disturbance a serious concern for its survival.
• Conservation Status
  • IUCN Red List: Endangered