Amyda cartilaginea cartilaginea

Amyda cartilaginea cartilaginea

(Boddaert, 1770)

Asiatic softshell turtle (Amyda cartilaginea cartilaginea)

Vernacular names

English : Asiatic softshell turtle
French : Tortue molle à rayons noirs

Classification

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

Identification

The species can reach a carapace length up to 80 cm. Carapace of adults is soft and leathery. Coloration brown to brown-grey. This subspecies has a number of yellow spots on head and neck. Small tubercles visible on neck.

Range and habitat

This subspecies occurs in Malaysia and in Indonesia, in South Sumatra, Java and Bali. The species is also found on Borneo. Lives in freshwater wetlands, streams and muddy rivers, often close to forests.

Conservation

IUCN RED LIST : VULNERABLE
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species is undergoing taxonomic revision and its IUCN Status could change. It is seriously threatened by loss of habitat, smuggling and pollution.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation