Terrapene coahuila

(Schmidt & Owens, 1944)

Vernacular names
English : Coahuilan box turtle
French : Tortue boite de Coahuila

Classification
Class : Reptilia
Order : Testudines
Family : Emydidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can grow to a shell length of 15 cm. Round and narrow carapace. Shell is hinged and can completely close itself. Fairly large head. Coloration globally dark brown to nearly black with grey-brown head.

Range and habitat
The species lives in Central America and is endemic to Cuatro Ciénegas in Coahuila, Mexico. Lives in marshy areas with shallow water, muddy bottom and tall grass.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : ENDANGERED
CITES : Appendix I
Status : The species is now very rare in the wild and globally threatened by alteration and destruction of its habitat by human constructions.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP in America

Observation

 

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