Elongated Tortoise Spotted in Haryana’s Aravallis

• 11 Sep 2024

In September 2024, a critically endangered elongated tortoise (Indotestudo elongata) was recently discovered in Haryana’s Damdama area during a research survey in the Aravallis, marking an unexpected find for this species.

Key Points

• Appearance: The elongated tortoise is a medium-sized reptile with a yellowish brown or olive shell adorned with distinct black blotches at the center of each scute.
• During the breeding season, mature individuals develop a pinkish coloration around their nostrils and eyes, particularly noticeable on the nostrils where a pink ring appears.
• Habitat: This tortoise typically inhabits Sal deciduous and hilly evergreen forests. It is distributed across Southeast Asia, including northern India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Indochina, Guangxi Province in China, and Peninsular Malaysia.
• IUCN Red List: The elongated tortoise is listed as critically endangered under criteria A2cd by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
• Threats: The tortoise is heavily exploited for food and traditional medicine across its range. It is often captured opportunistically during farming or forest resource extraction, and deliberate hunting, along with the use of dogs to locate tortoises, contributes to its dwindling numbers.