Indian Softshell Turtle
Indian Softshell TurtleIndian Softshell TurtleIndian Softshell TurtleIndian Softshell Turtle

Indian Softshell Turtle

Nilssonia gangetica

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
20–30% · Possible
overall probability at Chitwan National Park
14 Verified records at Chitwan National Park
December Best month highest sighting rate
☀️ Diurnal When it's active during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

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. Wikipedia →

20–30% of wildlife watchers report a Indian Softshell Turtle sighting in Chitwan National Park, based on 14 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Closest Relatives at Chitwan National Park

Indian Flap-shelled Turtle
VU

Indian Flap-shelled Turtle

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Lissemys punctata

Insufficient data

📅 Monthly Probability

10–20
Jan
20–30
Feb
30–40
Mar
20–30
Apr
30–40
May
5–10
Jun
5–10
Jul
10–20
Aug
5–10
Sep
20–30
Oct
20–30
Nov
30–40
Dec

☀️ When They're Spotted

Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)

☀️Diurnal
☀️🌙🌙12am6am12pm6pm12am

Global Distribution

Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.

where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is)  ·  parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Probability
1 Keoladeo National Park 🇮🇳 India
50–60%
2 Chitwan National Park 🇳🇵 Nepal
20–30%
3 Ranthambore National Park 🇮🇳 India
Insufficient data
4 Jim Corbett National Park 🇮🇳 India
Insufficient data
5 Kaziranga National Park 🇮🇳 India
Insufficient data

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Indian Softshell Turtle in Chitwan National Park?

About 25% of wildlife watchers report a Indian Softshell Turtle sighting in Chitwan National Park, based on 14 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Indian Softshell Turtle in Chitwan National Park?

December has the highest sighting rate for Indian Softshell Turtle in Chitwan National Park in our monthly data.

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