Hardella thurjii is found in northern India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh in the watersheds of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Indus rivers.

[6] The reproductive habits of H. thurjii are unique among reptiles in that the females lay their eggs under water rather than on dry land.

The rising water levels of spring submerge the almost mature eggs once again, and the turtles hatch in the river.

Indian zoologist Dhruvajyoti Basu first documented the unique reproductive habits of the brahminy river turtle in 2011.

The Prague Zoo incubated the first brahminy river turtle which was born in captivity in 2012.