Batagur affinis affinis

(Cantor, 1847)

Vernacular names
English : Southern river terrapin
French : Tortue royale

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

Identification
Large turtle reaching up to 60 cm in carapace length with males smaller than females. For this subspecies, females are greenish-grey to dirty yellowish-grey, breeding males are nearly black with whitish eyes and upturned snout.

Range and habitat
This subspecies occurs in Sumatra, western Malaysia and possibly south Thailand and Myanmar. Species also found in east Malaysia and Cambodia. Lives in mangrove swamps, lower rivers, coastal lagoons and estuaries.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
CITES : Appendix I
Status : The species has been highly threatened by habitat destruction, pollution and collection of eggs and adults. It has disappeared from most of its range.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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