About Pangshura tentoria (Gray, 1834)
Size
Pangshura tentoria is a small species of turtle that reaches a maximum straight carapace length of 27 centimeters (11 inches).
Distribution Range
This turtle species is found in Peninsular India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, at elevations below 80 meters (260 feet) above sea level.
Subspecies Distribution
Three subspecies are recognized with distinct geographic ranges: Pangshura tentoria tentoria is endemic to India, occurring in the Mahanadi and Godavari river drainages; Pangshura tentoria circumdata lives in the upper and central Ganges river drainage in India and southern Nepal; Pangshura tentoria flaviventer inhabits the lower Ganges drainage in Bangladesh, India, and southern Nepal.
Type Locality
The species' original type locality is given as "in Indiae Orientalis regione Dukhun [=Deccan] dicta ", and was restricted by M.A. Smith in 1931 to "Dhond, Poona Dist.", India.
Habitat and Basking Behavior
Pangshura tentoria is primarily a riverine turtle that lives in both small and large rivers, where it basks on rocks and tree snags.
Diet
Females of this species are largely herbivorous, while males and juveniles are more carnivorous.
Reproduction
Pangshura tentoria is oviparous.
