Indian softshell turtle

Indian softshell turtle
	Babai River, Nepal
	Immature (the dark eyespots on the carapace are indistinct or absent in adults)
Conservation status
	; Endangered (IUCN 3.1)
	CITES Appendix I (CITES)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Testudines
Suborder:	Cryptodira
Family:	Trionychidae
Genus:	Nilssonia
Species:	N. gangetica
Binomial name
	Nilssonia gangetica; (Cuvier, 1825)
Synonyms
	Trionyx gangeticus Cuvier, 1825; Trionyx javanicus Gray, 1831; Testudo gotaghol Buchanan-Hamilton, 1831 (nomen nudum); Aspidonectes gangeticus Wagler, 1833; Gymnopus duvaucelii Duméril & Bibron, 1835; Tyrse gangetica Gray, 1844; Trionyx gangetiga Gray, 1873 (ex errore); Isola gangetica Baur, 1893; Aspideretes gangeticus Hay, 1904; Trionyx gangeticus mahanaddicus Annandale, 1912; Gymnopus duvaucelli Smith, 1931; Amyda gangetica Mertens, Müller & Rust, 1934; Trionix gangeticus Richard, 1999;

The Indian softshell turtle (Nilssonia gangetica), or Ganges softshell turtle is a species of softshell turtle found in South Asia in rivers such as the Ganges, Indus and Mahanadi. This vulnerable turtle reaches a carapace length of up to 94 cm (37 in). It feeds mostly on fish, amphibians, carrion and other animal matter, but also takes aquatic plants. This turtle is listed in part II of Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and possession of this species is an offence.

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