Indian softshell turtle (Nilssonia gangetica)

Short answers

Indian softshell turtle: How big does the enclosure need to be?

Huge: up to ~90 cm shell length → only on the scale of a zoo or public aquarium (several thousand litres); unsuitable for private keeping.

Indian softshell turtle: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C water, basking spot 30–35 °C (land section), at night approx. 24 °C.

Indian softshell turtle: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB recommended (above the land section).

Indian softshell turtle: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: several decades.

Indian softshell turtle: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C water

Night temperature

approx. 24 °C

Basking spot

30–35 °C (land section)

Humidity

— (aquatic)

UVB

UVB recommended (above the land section)

Enclosure

Minimum size

Huge: up to ~90 cm shell length → only on the scale of a zoo or public aquarium (several thousand litres); unsuitable for private keeping

Substrate

Fine sand (for burying)

Feeding

Food

Carnivorous – fish, amphibians, carrion, invertebrates; also some water plants

Feeding interval

juveniles daily, adults 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

up to ~90–94 cm shell length (very large)

Life expectancy

several decades

Origin

South Asia (the Ganges, Indus and Mahanadi – India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh)

Protection status

CITES Appendix I (since 1975) – international trade is effectively prohibited; EU Regulation Annex A; in India it has the highest level of protection (Wildlife Protection Act, Schedule I). Legal acquisition is practically ruled out.

Brumation

None (tropical / subtropical); at most a slight seasonal variation in temperature

Cohabitation

Single keeping. The species is large, predatory and aggressive; it eats fish, waterbirds and even other softshell turtles, so a conspecific or tank mate is prey or rival. It is not suitable for private keeping anyway.

Notes

A CITES I species, IUCN threatened – NOT a pet, and it reaches an enormous size. The German name "Pfauenweichschildkröte" is usually used for N. hurum; here it follows the source as N. gangetica (the Ganges / Indian softshell turtle). Private husbandry data are barely available – the figures come from natural history and general softshell turtle care.

Do you keep this species?

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Look for Indian softshell turtle (Nilssonia gangetica) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) – Intermediate
• Florida softshell turtle (Apalone ferox) – Expert
• Smooth softshell turtle (Apalone mutica) – Expert
• Indian flapshell turtle (Lissemys punctata) – Intermediate
• African softshell turtle (Trionyx triunguis) – Expert
• Spiny softshell turtle (Apalone spinifera) – Expert
• Asiatic softshell turtle (Amyda cartilaginea) – Expert
• Wattle-necked softshell turtle (Palea steindachneri) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Indian softshell turtle (Nilssonia gangetica) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (Huge: up to ~90 cm shell length → only on the scale of a zoo or public aquarium (several thousand litres); unsuitable for private keeping), substrate (Fine sand (for burying)), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.