Northern river terrapin

Batagur ( Batagur baska )

The Batagur ( Batagur baska ) is the only member of the genus Batagur and one of the rarest turtles in the world. The original distribution area includes Bengal, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra. She lives in large and deep freshwater, but also goes into the brackish water. The animals feed almost exclusively on plants.

Features

Batagur turtles are 60 inches long. Its carapace is only slightly curved and lighter gray-brown color. The head is broad, in the mouth it has pine strips. On the front legs, it has only four toes. All limbs bear strong claws.

Endangering

The Batagur is threatened with extinction and since 1982 is already on the IUCN Red List. Since 2003 it is considered the most endangered turtle species. It is for their meat and their carapace, which is processed into remedies, hunted. In addition, their habitat is under threat as nesting beaches are lost and perish the animals in fishing nets.

Recently a copy was in Thailand, where the turtle was considered extinct, again sighted. Early May 2010, succeeded zoologists in the Tiergarten Schönbrunn ( Austria ), the first offspring of Batagur turtles, two juveniles hatched.