The Endemic Treasure
Cuora picturata
Conservation Status
IUCN & VN Red Book
CR
Critically Endangered
Vietnam Law (Decree)
84/2021/ND-CP
Highest Level of Protection
CITES
APP I
International Trade Banned
Biological Profile
Morphology
Carapace: Orange-brown to dark brown, strongly domed, with various dark markings and black spots along the marginal scutes.
Head: Cream to yellow, bearing fine pale grey lines.
Plastron: Cream-colored, with a large black blotch on each plastral scute.
*Male distinction: Slightly concave plastron, larger claws, thicker tail. Size: 15-19 cm.
Ecology
This species is primarily terrestrial, usually sheltering under leaf litter or dense vegetation near streams in evergreen forests.
- Elev: 300 – 600m
- Eggs: 1–3 per clutch
- Diet: Worms, Insects
Survival Under Threat
“Severe habitat loss and fragmentation caused by logging, forest encroachment, and forest fires, combined with intensive overexploitation for illegal wildlife trade.”
Distribution Range
A Vietnam Exclusive
Viet Nam ENDEMIC
Restricted to Dak Lak and Khanh Hoa provinces.
(Endemic to Viet Nam)
Global Distribution
NONE
Found nowhere else on Earth.
