Indian Turtle: Species Diversity, Habitat and Conservation Importance

Turtles and tortoises, with their unique traits and tranquil demeanor, have often been sought-after exotic pets. Nevertheless, it's crucial to realize that these animals are unfit for domestic life for various reasons.

Turtles and tortoises demand specific dietary and environmental needs that are hard to mimic at home. For instance, they require certain temperature, humidity, lighting, and space conditions to stay healthy. It can take people months or even years to realize the harm caused by improper housing or nutritional deficiencies. This often leads to abandonment or the animal dying prematurely, suffering in silence.

The Wild Life Protection Act, 1972 protects every native turtle and tortoise species found in India. With the recent Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2022, now in effect, most are under Schedule I protection, equal to the protection a tiger receives. Think of it this way - the repercussions of keeping the commonly traded ‘Indian star tortoise’ as a pet is equivalent to keeping a tiger at home. Do you really want to support the illegal exotic pet trade? This trade has caused a surge in the illicit capture and sale of wild turtles and tortoises, their survival, and leading to their cruel and inhumane treatment of these animals once captured.

Red-eared sliders are one of the most popular of all aquatic turtle species. They tend to be friendlier and more sociable than some of their relatives, they're pretty active, and they're widely available. Also, the males are some of the easiest turtles to care for. These turtles are generally housed indoors, but with the right shelter, cleaning, and warmer temperatures, they can also do well in an outdoor pond. As they mature, it can be easier to provide them with the space they need outside. Red-eared sliders can grow to a decent size, and their tank will need to be large and have adequate areas for basking. It will need UV lighting and a good water filtration system. Their size, subsequent dietary needs, and larger housing requirements mean they can be more expensive to look after than some turtles. With the right care, though, they're generally a hardy and healthy species, and frequently surpass 50 years of age. Like other turtles, it’s best to keep handling to a minimum to avoid stressing them.

A Western painted turtle could appeal if you want a turtle that is distinctive and attractive to look at. They have detailed shell markings. Although they aren't big, these aquatic turtles need a large tank or outdoor space, a good water filtration system, and basking lights to help maintain a warm temperature. Their housing needs are similar to that of the red-eared slider. Because they like to eat while swimming, selecting food that can be easily lifted out of the water if it isn't eaten is a good choice to help keep the tank clean for longer. They can be quite shy and aren't turtles that will enjoy frequent handling. They are also more expensive than some other turtles.

The Indian Softshell turtle, also known as the Ganges Softshell turtle, is a reptile found in freshwater habitats and its distribution is restricted to the Ganges, Indus and Mahanadi rivers in northern and eastern India. Some of the states in which they are found include Assam, Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Rajasthan and West Bengal, to name a few. This turtle can be easily distinguished by its prominent, tube-like snout and flattened shell. Its external features allow it to perfectly adapt to a riparian habitat (domain around rivers and other water bodies). Their long necks and tube-like snouts help them to extend their nose out of the water to breathe. The compressed shell, on the other hand, streamlines them, thereby making them brilliant and fast swimmers.

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