Big-headed Turtle

 

Platysternon megacephalum

 

Conservation Status

CR
IUCN Red List

CR
VN Red Book

APP I
CITES / Decree

Head extremely large and cannot be retracted into the shell. Population decline estimated >80% over the past 30 years.

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Morphology

Head: Extremely large and cannot be retracted into the shell. Upper jaw sharp and beak-like.

Body: Carapace elongated and flattened. Tail nearly as long as the body. Maximum carapace length can reach up to 17 cm.

Juveniles: Orange plastron with a central black spot; limbs orange; head light brown with a dark lateral stripe.

Adults: Dark brown to black, often with light brown or orange markings.


Ecology

Semi-aquatic but primarily terrestrial; shelters under leaf litter or shrubs near forest streams in evergreen forests.

  • Clutch: 1–2 eggs
  • Diet: Fish, shrimp, crabs, snails, frogs

Threats

  • Severe habitat fragmentation and degradation due to logging and forest encroachment.
  • Heavily hunted for food, traditional medicine, and pet trade.
Population decline >80% (past 30 years)

Distribution

Vietnam

Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Lang Son, Bac Giang, Thai Nguyen, Phu Tho, Son La, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang, Kon Tum, Quang Ngai.

Global

China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia.

Legal Protections

Decree 64/2019/ND-CP; Decree 84/2021/ND-CP