Pelodiscus sinensis

(Wiegmann, 1835)

Vernacular names
English : Chinese softshell turtle
French : Tortue molle de Chine

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

Identification
Adults can grow to a shell length of 23 cm. Shell smooth. Coloration olive grey to olive brown with very small star-like dots. Head with thick lips and cylindrical nose, black and white markings around head and faint post ocular stripe.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in eastern Asia, from China, Taiwan and Japan to Vietnam. It has been introduced in many areas including in Thailand and USA. Lives in lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes, in fresh and brackish water.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : VULNERABLE
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species’ status needs reassessing because the species is in the process of being split in many species, each one of them likely to be threatened.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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