Cuora flavomarginata flavomarginata

(Gray, 1863)

Vernacular names
English : Snake-eating turtle
French : Tortue boite à marge jaune

Classification
Class : Reptilia
Order : Testudines
Family : Geoemydidae
Notes : 1 other subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can grow to 16 cm in shell length, rarely more. Shell is uniformly domed and almost black, with two rows of dark red blotches and small yellow stripes. Olive-brown head and neck, peach throat, bright yellow eye stripes.

Range and habitat
This subspecies is found in Taiwan and South China. Species also occurs on Ryukyu islands in Japan. Lives in hilly evergreen forest with streams nearby, in subtropical areas.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : ENDANGERED
CITES : Appendix I
Status : The species is affected by collection for the trade and habitat loss. Taiwanese populations are declining, Chinese populations on the verge of extinction.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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