Northern River Terrapin is an Indian Reptile that bears a scientific name "Batagur baska", is a species of Sweet Water Turtle. Northern River Terrapin is one of the most critically endangered turtle species according to a 2000 assessment by the IUCN.
Structure of Northern River Terrapin
Northern River Terrapin is one of Asia's largest freshwater and brackish turtles. The carapace of Northern River Terrapin is moderately depressed, with a vertebral keel in the young, which keel disappears in the adult; nuchal broader than long; first vertebral as broad in front as behind, or a little broader; vertebral 2 to 4 sub equal, much broader than long in the young, nearly as long as broad and as broad as the costal in the adult. The postero-lateral border of the third vertebral is strongly concave.
Populations of Batagur baska in the Sunderbans in India were considered abundant in the 19th Century, but had declined to very small populations by the 1970s (Moll 1985) and to an estimated 10 breeding females by 1995 (Choudhury et al. 2000). The total Indian population was estimated as fewer than 40 animals, with about three nests produced per year, although there was hope that more animals and/or nesting sites might exist and be found with intensive survey efforts (Lucknow Red List Workshop participants, 2005). Participants at the 2011 Singapore Red List Workshop estimated that about 30 adult animals remained. In India, there are 8 males and 7 females; and 300 juveniles in captivity (S. Singh pers. comm. 2018).