Archive · 22 May 2025
Kanpur Temple Turtles Now Favor Paneer as Food
In a temple in India, turtles have started eating paneer, which is like cottage cheese.
People visiting the temple give them the paneer on Wednesdays.
These turtles, which usually eat meat, now love the cheese.
Nobody knows exactly why they started liking it.
The temple administrator said a professor introduced it.
The turtles are linked to a planet which encourages people to visit the temple.
The turtles are protected by law.
The temple has become a safe place for the turtles with nesting spots and help with erosion.
Turtles in a Kanpur temple complex have developed a taste for paneer (cottage cheese).
Devotees offer paneer to the turtles, primarily on Wednesdays.
Temple administrator noted the shift in diet from atta balls to paneer.
The behavior is considered rare and research-worthy.
The Indian softshell turtles are protected under Indian law.
- Who
- Indian softshell turtles and devotees
- What
- Turtles eating paneer offered by devotees
- When
- Wednesdays
- Where
- Panki Nageshwar temple in Kanpur, India
- Why
- No definitive reason given; possible shift in taste.
- Location
- Panki Nageshwar temple, Kanpur, India
- Approximate Number of Turtles
- 150
- Species
- Nilssonia gangetica (Indian softshell turtles)
- Typical Diet
- Fish, amphibians, carrion, and aquatic vegetation
- Legal Status
- Protected under Schedule I of India's Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
- Feeding Days
- Wednesdays
