Indian flapshell turtle / Lissemys punctata

Indian flapshell turtle, Visakhapatnam 

Indian flapshell turtle, Visakhapatnam 

Indian flapshell turtle, Visakhapatnam 

Indian flapshell turtle ( Lissemys punctata ) is a freshwater species of turtle found in India . The name " flap shell " comes from the presence of femoral flaps locate down the plastron.These flaps of skin cover the limbs when they retract into shell. It is the most common aquatic turtle species in India . It is omnivorous in diet and likes to feed on snails, shrimp, frogs, fishes, flowers, fruits, etc. On a darker sight, it shell is known to have medical values and are often smuggled for the shell, which will be burnt and mixed with oil for a Chinese medicine 

IUCN Status - Least concerned .