Behaviour

The vast majority of the time, the Asian narrow-headed softshell turtle spends submerged in freshwater environments including lakes, rivers, and streams. This species lives alone most of the year, only congregating in large groups during mating. Basking on rocks or logs along the water's edge helps these turtles maintain their body temperature and absorb sunlight, which they do most of the time throughout the day.

They hunt for food when they see it, which includes water invertebrates, tiny fish, and plants. They wait for their prey to get close enough to attack before quickly grabbing it with their beaks as a hunting method. They also do a good job of scavenging for food, which includes carrion and other organic materials they come upon.

Asian narrow-headed softshell turtles have webbed feet and a sleek body, so they can swiftly dive into the water if they feel threatened. They are evasive and timid animals who try to stay out of trouble whenever they can. Their timid demeanour belies their violent streak, which manifests most visibly during territory fights and mating encounters.

When male turtles fight for the attention of females during the mating season—, which usually happens during the monsoon months—they may act aggressively. The males generally try to cling to the female's shell with their lengthy claws during mating, which often happens in water. Birds will look for a good spot to lay their eggs after mating, which is usually near the beach or along a sandy riverbank.

After laying their eggs, the mother birds cover them with dirt or sand and go back to the water to let them hatch. Typically, incubation periods are many months long, however they may be shorter or longer depending on the surrounding environment. The first thing a hatchling turtle does after it hatches is go for the water. From there, they face all sorts of obstacles on their route to becoming an adult.