Soft Terrapin (Lisssemys Punctata Ceylonensis)

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Sinhalese: Kiri Ibba

Tamil: Pal amai

Description: These terrapins grow to about 35 cm in length. They have a soft “shell”, a short proboscis and teeth that can give a good bite.

Distribution: Found in swamp and water-holes of the low country, rare in the hills, prefers the coastal plain. Occasionally frequents slightly brackish water.

Habits: These terrapins spend a lot of time basking on rocks etc. they swim well, can burrow under mud and can remain submerged for up to 20 minutes. Their food consists of frogs, fishes, crustacean, worms, snails, carrion etc. and at night they forage on land.

Breeding: The female lays several batches of 2 to 6 round, hard-shelled eggs, within a few weeks of each other.

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