Malayemys khoratensis

(Ilow, Vamberger, Flecks, Hartmann, Cota, Makchai, Meewattana, Dawson, Keng, Rödder & Fritz, 2016)

Vernacular names
English : Khorat snail-eating turtle
French : Tortue de Khorat

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

Identification
The species can grow to 20 cm in shell length. Shell roughly oval with very blunt ends and three rows of keels. Shell coloration dark brown, lightly mottled. Yellowish lines on head, thicker, clearer and less numerous than for other species.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in South East Asia and is endemic to the Khorat river basin, in the region known as Isan, in north-east Thailand. Lives in shallow rivers and ponds, either in sluggish or very slow-moving waters.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species isn’t considered threatened at this time. It occurs widely in the Khorat plateau and doesn’t seem to be affected by recorded threats at this time.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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