Indian Spotted Turtle
Geoclemys hamiltonii
Identification
This turtle is mainly black with small yellowish or whiteish spots, and a much-elevated carapace, with three interrupted keels. Its posterior border is strongly serrated in young, but feebly in the adult. Its digits are webbed to the claws. The tail is extremely short. The shell is dark brown or blackish, elegantly marked with yellow or white spots and radiating streaks, and the soft parts are dark brown or blackish, with round yellow or white spots, largest on the head and neck.
Range
The Indian Spotted Turtle is found in southeastern Pakistan, northern India, and Bangladesh, in the Indus and Ganges Rivers. This turtle inhabits major rivers and forest lakes.
Diet
In captivity this species is reported to eat meat, fish, shrimp, and insects and it is not known to eat plant material. They feed while swimming at the surface and eat pellets floating on the surface. However, they also consume aquatic animals living in their ponds and tanks.
Notes
The Indian spotted turtle is also known as the spotted pond turtle or the black pond turtle is truly one of the world's most beautiful turtles. Though difficult to obtain – they are protected as both a CITES Appendix I and Endangered Species – they are nonetheless being successfully captive bred mostly in California and Florida. Well-acclimated adults in proper enclosures are proving to be prolific, and the captive-hatched babies have proven to be hardy captives.
Indian Spotted Turtles received protection from CITES and the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1976, and importation was banned. Additionally, even captive-hatched babies cannot be shipped out of the state where they were produced (as a commercial transaction). Babies and adults can be transported across state lines if the transaction is not commercial, such as a gift or breeding loan, but this transaction will be scrutinized heavily by U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and any attempt to skirt the law is usually dealt with harshly.
Spotted pond turtles do very well in outdoor ponds in warmer climates. They do not cool down much in their natural habitats, and in all but the coldest environments they are alert and active year-round. They are sun worshippers, so provide plenty of branches and rock piles for them to climb out and bask.
Spotted pond turtles are only available as captive-hatched babies, so their health issues are few. These are hardy, alert and energetic turtles. They seem to thrive in a variety of water conditions.
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