Hard Terrapin Or Common Terrapin (Melanochelys trijuga)

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Sinhalese: Gal ibba, Goo ibba

Tamil: Kal amai, Pe amai or Karuppu amai

Description: There are 2 races of this terrapin which differ in size. The larger dry zone race grows to about 35 cm in length and the smaller wet zone race grows to about 25 cm. They are hard “shelled” and give off a rather unpleasant smell.

Distribution: Found on waterways of the lowlands and medium hills.

Habits: These terrapin spend many hours during the day basking on rocks and clods of earth beside reservoirs, water-holes etc. They swim very well, forage on land at night, are omnivorous and scavenge.

Breeding: The female lays from 3-8 oval hard –shelled eggs.

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