Historically at home in the great rivers of northern India, female Red-Crowned Roof Turtles can weigh up to 55 pounds and have shells as long as 22 inches. Males only reach half the length of females. At the end of the rainy season, the faces and necks of male turtles develop a spectacular courtship coloration of red, yellow, white, and blue to win over the females.
Where young roof turtles go to feed, grow, and hide from predators remains a mystery. Scientists are trying to solve it by studying this species in India’s Chambal River, its last stronghold.
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