Albino Asian Soft Shell Turtle (Amyda Cartilaginea)
Conservation status
IUCN: Red List: Vulnerable
Key Descriptions
Asian Soft – Shell Turtles are a large species of freshwater turtles native to Southeast Asia which inhabit lowland streams deep within forested areas. They have a leathery carapace which is flat & round with a coloration which mimics that of a soft olive green that blends in with the muddy streams in which they inhabit.
Habitat
These turtles are native to freshwater habitats throughout Southeast Asia including Brunei, Cambodia, India, Laos, Malaysia & Singapore. They commonly will indulge in aquatic vegetation available in their low lying habitats but will not shy away from endemic wildlife including fish & snails which share their environment.
Social Life
Asian Soft-Shelled Turtles are rather solitary creatures who tend to stay underwater for long periods by digging into surroundings with their sharp claws and breathing through their skin. This allows them to stay dormant for extended periods of time while stalking unsuspecting prey in their vicinity or protecting themselves from predators.
Fun Facts
- Softshell turtles lack the hard shell or carapace, which is characteristic of most turtle species. Instead, their shell is more like leather than hard and bony. It lacks the large scales known as scutes that make up the hard carapace of other turtle species. The carapace has spines or bumps over it, which can sometimes be used to tell the species apart. The smooth softshell turtle is the only softshell turtle without spines and bumps on the carapace
- These turtles have long, elongated necks, a streamlined head, and a pointed snout. The nostrils are found on the top of the snout. This enables the turtles to bury themselves in mud, sand, and shallow water and still breathe. The turtles do this by extending their head so that the snout just breaks the surface.
- The incubation period ranges from 18 to 20 weeks, with the size of each clutch ranging from one to 30 eggs. Clutch size is highly dependent on the geographical location and the size of the turtles. Hatchling sizes range from 32 to 49, which is also dependent on the size and location of the Amyda cartilaginea.
- Amyda cartelgenea has different ways of communicating. Its snout is used for hunting, smelling predators, and breathing. The Asiatic soft-shell also uses tactile and chemical communication. Its snout is used for hunting, smelling predators, and breathing
- Asiatic soft-shells bury themselves for both protection and hunting; when a threat is perceived, the Asiatic soft-shell has the tendency to become aggressive. It can give off a painful bite, although it usually does not cause significant damage
- Softshell turtles are surprisingly rapid swimmers and use their speed to catch prey or escape predators.
Diet
Plants, Fish & other small aquatic animals
Key Information
| Origin: | Southeast Asia |
| Size: | 70-80cm |
| Weight: | Up to 24kg |
| Lifespan: | 30-50 years |