Biodiversity Gallery

It is locally known as Tambu Dura in Assam. The Indian Tent Turtle is a slithering reptile with shells that resemble tents and a keel with a hump-like protrusion. The length of the species' straight carapace is 26.5 cm. There are three subspecies: tentoria (Gray, 1834), circumdata (Mertens, 1969) and flaviventer (Gunther, 1864). In Assam, both P. tentoria tentoria and P. tentoria flaviventer are found. It can be found in the river systems of the Brahmaputra and Barak. This species is the most common incidental catch in the river Brahmaputra. They spawn on the sandy riverine chars between September and November. It has been reported to breed on mud banks in ponds and marshes. By excavating a 30-centimeter-wide hole, a clutch of 3 to 8 eggs is laid. The duration of incubation is 56 to 60 days. The eggs are consumed by humans and other predators as dogs and jackals.