CR

Black Softshell Turtle

Nilssonia nigricans

Declining

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Nilssonia nigricans faces severe population decline primarily due to intensive harvesting for local consumption and trade, with adults and eggs collected from nesting beaches and river systems. Habitat degradation from dam construction, sand mining, and agricultural encroachment along the Ganges and Brahmaputra river systems has fragmented critical nesting and foraging areas. Water pollution from industrial discharge and agricultural runoff further compromises the aquatic ecosystems this species depends upon for survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

This large freshwater turtle inhabits major river systems of the Indian subcontinent, particularly the Ganges and Brahmaputra basins, preferring deep pools and slow-flowing sections with sandy or muddy substrates. The species requires sandy riverbanks and islands for nesting, typically selecting sites with loose, well-drained soil above the high-water mark.

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionEx-situ conservationLegislationLinked enterprises & livelihood alternatives

Other threatened species in TRIONYCHIDAE

VU

Southern New Guinea Giant Softshell Turtle

Pelochelys bibroni

Unknown
VU

African Softshell Turtle

Trionyx triunguis

Declining
VU

Chinese Softshell Turtle

Pelodiscus sinensis

Declining
VU

Sri Lankan Flapshell Turtle

Lissemys ceylonensis

Declining

Threatened in Bangladesh

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
Asarcornis scutulataCR

Asarcornis scutulata

Declining
CR

Aythya baeri

Declining
Perdicula manipurensisCR

Perdicula manipurensis

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Black Softshell Turtle classified as Critically Endangered?
Black Softshell Turtle is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Nilssonia nigricans faces severe population decline primarily due to intensive harvesting for local consumption and trade, with adults and eggs collected from nesting beaches and river systems. Habitat degradation from dam construction, sand mining, and agricultural encroachment along the Ganges and Brahmaputra river systems has fragmented critical nesting and foraging areas. Water pollution from industrial discharge and agricultural runoff further compromises the aquatic ecosystems this species depends upon for survival.
Where does Black Softshell Turtle live?
Black Softshell Turtle occurs in Bangladesh, and India. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Black Softshell Turtle?
The main threats to Black Softshell Turtle are 12.1, 5.4, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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