Giant Asian Pond Turtle (Heosemys Grandis)
Conservation status
IUCN: Red List: Vulnerable
Key Descriptions
Inhabiting rivers, streams & marshes throughout Southeast Asia, the Giant Asian pond turtle has a predominantly brown to black coloration highlighted by pale yellow streaks which run along the centre of its large carapace. One of the largest semi-aquatic Asian turtles, these reptiles have muscular strong limbs & webbed toes which adapt it very well to both swimming as well as traversal on land.
Habitat
They inhabit the rivers, streams & marshes throughout Cambodia & Vietnam as well as various parts of Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar & Thailand. Their ability to live in both water & on land has made them a highly adaptable species who feeds on a variety of food including fish, carrion, insects as well as aquatic vegetation.
Social Life
Asian Giant pond turtles enjoy the privilege of not being limited strictly to water. They have been observed in the wild to regularly come upon shore to bask on logs & stones in their environment. Little has been observed of their mating habits in the wild.
Fun Facts
- Giant Asian Pond Turtles can sometimes be seen in the ponds of Buddhist temples, along with many other turtle species. One reason for this is the practice of “merit release”, where turtles and other animals are released into the wild in order to “make merit”.
- Giant Asian pond turtles are among the largest hard-shelled, semi-aquatic Asian turtles. Thi species has strong limbs and webbed toes so that it can swim in water or walk on land with great ease
Diet
Vegetables & Fish
Key Information
| Origin: | Southeast Asia |
| Size: | Up to 40cm |
| Weight: | Up to 20kg |
| Lifespan: | Up to 20years |