Recently, an
Albino Indian Flapshell Turtle was sighted by mountaineers in Sirnapalli forest of
Nizamabad, Telangana.
About Albino Indian Flapshell Turtle
• It is a fresh water turtle commonly found in South Asian countries.
➢ Indian flapshell turtles are usually only 9 to 14 inches long, and prefer to eat frogs,
mollusks and aquatic vegetation.
• Listed as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List and Schedule I under the Indian wildlife
protection act, 1972.
• The varying coloration of turtles may be due to albinism – a genetic disorder that causes
a complete lack of a pigment called 'tyrosine'.
➢ Tyrosine is an amino acid that plays a vital role in the formation of melanin.
➢ Melanin is the pigment that gives color to eyes, hair and skin. It’s also the same pigment
that’s responsible for the color of turtles shells or colour.
