Turtles are among the most adorable water creatures and one of the ancient animals they lived in earth for 120 million years, it means they also shared their life with dinosaurs, however, the population of the various species is decreasing because of certain regions such as habitat loss, climate change, over-exploitation for pets and various diseases. Here is the list of 10 endangered turtle and tortoise species,
Endangered Turtle And Tortoise Species
1. Ploughshare Tortoise
The Ploughshare Tortoise is one of the endangered Turtle And Tortoise Species that is only seen in the tiny area of Madagascar. The name ‘plowshare ‘ of the tortoise species comes from a plow-shaped extension on the front of their shell. This is one of the rarest tortoises on the planet that belongs to the order Testudines and family Testudinidae. The body length is between 30 to 48 cm and the average wieght is between 7.2 to 18.9 kilograms. The habitat consists of a mosaic of shrubs, bamboo, savanna grasses and open, non-vegetated areas.
Image Source: BVA
2. Painted Terrapin
The Painted Terrapin also known as painted batagur or saw-jawed turtle is a species of turtle species that belongs to the family Geoemydidae. Initially, it belonged to the genus Callagur, however, later it was reclassified to the genus, Batagur. The turtle species is distributed across the rainforests of Brunei, Indonesia (Sumatra and Kalimantan), Malaysia, and Thailand. It is named for the bright coloration exhibited by males during breeding season. The primary diet includes aquatic plants and grasses, overhanging and fallen leaves and fruit of figs and mangroves, however, sometimes, it is also seen feeding on aquatic invertebrates.
Image Source: Wikimedia
3. Radiated tortoise
The radiated tortoise is a critically endangered tortoise species that belongs to the family Testudinidae. The average length of species is upto 41 cm and the average wieght is upto 16 kilograms. The tortoise species is native to southern Madagascar, However, they can also seen in the rest of the island and are now even introduced to the islands of Réunion and Mauritius. The species loves to thrive in the regions of dry forests, woodlands and thorn forests of southern Madagascar. The average lifespan of a radiated tortoise is between 40 to 100 years.
Image Source: Wikipedia
4. McCord’s box turtle
McCord’s box turtle scientifically called Cuora McCord is a turtle species that belongs to the family Geoemydidae. The turtle species is native to central Guangxi province, China. It is critically endangered because of its use in traditional Chinese medicine and by turtle hobbyists. The average body length is upto 14 cm (5.5 in), however, it can go upto 18 cm (7.1 in) straight carapace lengths are known now. The name of the species comes in honor of American veterinarian William Patrick McCord (born 1950). It is also listed as one of the colorful turtles in the world.
Image Source: Wikimedia
5. Indochinese box turtle
The Indochinese box turtle also known as the Vietnamese box turtle, or flower back box turtle is an Asian box turtle native to northern and central Vietnam, Laos, and possibly northeastern Cambodia. The population of the turtle species is decreasing and is critically endangered because of collection in trade. It continues to be in high demand in the international pet trade and the food trade.
Image Source: Wikimedia
6. Roti Island snake-necked turtle
The Roti Island snake-necked turtle also known as McCord’s snakeneck turtle is a critically endangered turtle species native to the Rote Island in Indonesia. The name of the species comes in honor of Dr. William Patrick McCord (born 1950) who was a turtle expert from Hopewell Junction, New York. The body length of turtle species is between 150 to 214 mm in length and the average wieght is between 444 to 816 grams. The natural habitat of turtle species includes swamps, rice terraces, and small lakes. Talking about the appearance, the color of the carapace is a pale grey-brown, however, there are also specimens that have a chestnut-colored hue and the plastron is a pale buff white.
Image Source: Wikimedia
7. Flattened musk turtle
The flattened musk turtle is a critically endangered turtle species that belongs to the family Kinosternidae. The turtle species is endemic to the southern United States. The average length of turtle species is between 7.5 and 10 cm, however, some can even grow to 11.4 cm. The common and specific name comes from the fact that the species’ carapace (upper shell) is much lower and flatter than those of the other members of the genus Sternotherus.
Image Source: Wikimedia
8. Leatherback sea turtle
The leatherback sea turtle is one of the animals that travel farthest also known as the lute turtle leathery turtle or simply the luth is the largest living turtle that can reach upto 1.8 meters and weighs 500 kg. The average lifespan of leatherback sea turtles is between 30 to 50 years in the wild. The only living species in the genus Dermochelys and belongs to the family Dermochelyidae. The animals with the thickest skin can be easily differentiated with the help of the lack of a bony shell. The primary diet consists entirely of jellyfish and helps in controlling jellyfish populations, however, there they are also seen feeding on soft-bodied organisms, such as tunicates and cephalopods.
9. Northern river terrapin
The northern river terrapin is a riverine turtle species native to Southeast Asia. This is classified as a Critically Endangered turtle species by the IUCN and is also considered extinct in much of its former range. The body length can reach upto 60 cm and the average wieght is upto 18 kilograms. The average lifespan of northern river terrapin is upto 25 years. This is one of the rare freshwater turtles where the upper surface of its carapace and the soft parts are generally olive-brown, while the plastron is yellowish. The dietary habit is omnivorous in nature and feeds on waterside plants and small animals such as clams.
Image Source: Wikimedia
10. Yangtze giant softshell turtle
Yangtze giant softshell turtles are called by different names such as Red River giant softshell turtle, Shanghai softshell turtle, Speckled softshell turtle, and Swinhoe’s softshell turtle. This is one of the rare species of turtle that belongs to the family Trionychidae. It is also believed that this is the largest living freshwater turtle in the world and turtle species is endemic to eastern and southern China and northern Vietnam. The species was known to science in the year 1873 when John Edward Gray, the turtle expert at the British Museum, described the specimen sent to him from Shanghai by English biologist Robert Swinhoe. He also described it as “the most beautiful species of Trionychidae that has yet occurred.
Image Source: Wikimedia
These are the endangered turtle and tortoise species in the world. Kindly share and post your comments.
