​Critically Endangered Elongated Tortoise Spotted in Haryana

A critically endangered species, the elongated tortoise (Indotestudo elongata), was recently discovered in the Damdama area of Haryana’s Aravalli hills during a survey.

• The elongated tortoise is medium-sized with a yellowish-brown or olive shell and distinct black blotches on each scute. During the breeding season, both males and females develop a pinkish ring around their nostrils and eyes.
• This species typically inhabits Sal deciduous and evergreen forests and is found in Southeast Asia, including India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, extending east to Myanmar, Thailand, and China’s Guangxi Province.
• A disjunct population also exists in the Chota Nagpur plateau in eastern India, inhabiting lowlands ....