A brilliant golden turtle has been discovered in Nepal and has been compared to the mythological incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu.

This creature has its unique color thanks to an extremely rare genetic mutation that changes its pigmentation.

This is believed to be the fifth time a golden turtle of the species Lissemys punctata andersoni has been discovered worldwide and the first in Nepal.

Kamal Devkota, a reptile expert who recorded the discovery, said the reptile has deep spiritual significance.

“Not only golden animals but also turtles have important religious and cultural values in Nepal,” he said.

‘It is believed that Lord Vishnu incarnated into a turtle to save the universe from destruction.

‘In Hindu mythology, the turtle’s upper shell represents the sky and the lower shell represents the earth.’

The turtle avatar of Vishnu, known as Kurma, is today worshiped in several temples in India.

Golden turtles have their distinctive color due to chromocytosis – a condition characterized by loss of color pigment.

Leukemia usually results in white, pale or patchy skin, but in this case it results in xanthophores – cells with lots of yellow pigment – becoming dominant.

Mr. Devkota, from the Nepal Toxicology Association, said: “This is the first time I have come into contact with this unusually colored turtle.

‘This is the first record in Nepal of leucism in this turtle, Lissemys punctata andersoni, and only the fifth of its kind worldwide.

‘So we can say that this is an unusual discovery!’

After being recorded, the turtle was released into the wild, although its survival will be more difficult than other turtles.

“Color aberrations are quite rare in nature because affected individuals may be at a disadvantage in their environment,” Mr. Devkota said.

‘For example, a normal Lissemys punctata is much better camouflaged in the murky, green waters that this species frequents.

‘Genetically driven conditions such as color leukemia would be subject to strong negative selective pressure in nature.

‘But such unusual animals are highly prized in the pet trade.’

The turtle was found in Dhanushadham city, part of Nepal’s Dhanusha district.