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Turtles, terrapins and tortoises, or chelonians (Order : Testudines), include some of the world's most endangered species.  For centuries the larger species have been exploited for their shells, meat and eggs.  In Southeast Asia, turtles range in size from small, secretive terrapins hiding in muddy, forest streams to huge, ocean-going leatherbacks up to 2.5 metres in length. There are around 350 species of chelonian alive today, of which 70 or so occur in Southeast Asia.

Sea Turtles  (Dermochelyidae, Cheloniidae)   SE Asia: 5 species (worldwide 7 species)

Globally 7 species of sea turtle are recognised, of which 5 are known to nest in Southeast Asia.  The other 2 species are the Flatback Turtle, which only nests in Australia (although its feeding grounds do extend into eastern Indonesia), and Kemp's Ridley Turtle which only occurs in the western Atlantic Ocean. All 7 species are categorised as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered.  Examples:
 

Land Tortoises  (Testudinidae)   SE Asia: 5 species (worldwide ~60 species)

As of 2020, there are 60 species of land tortoise recognised worldwide, the majority of which occur in relatively dry, semi-arid, open habitats such as deserts and grasslands. Within Southeast Asia there are just 5 species, which are adapted a variety of habitats including humid, forested habitats, and cooler temperatures in lower montane forest.  Examples:
 

Asian Hard-shell Terrapins  (Geoemydidae)   SE Asia: ~40 species (worldwide ~70 species)

Geoemydidae is the most speciose of turtle families with, as of 2020, around 40 species of 14 genera occurring in Southeast Asia. These are aquatic or semi- freshwater turtles, but some inhabit shaded, humid forest. Many species are referred to as terrapins.  In recent years DNA sequencing has revealed hidden diversity in this group - for example the Cyclemys leaf terrapins are now treated as 6 separate species.   Examples:
 

Big-headed Turtle  (Platysternidae)    Worldwide 1 species only

The unique Big-headed Turtle (Platysternon megacephalum) is the only member of the family Platysternidae: it is included in the superfamily Testudinoidea, which also includes the Testudinidae (land tortoises), Geoemydidae (Asian hard-shelled terrapins) and Emydidae (new world terrapins). It occurs in rivers and streams in southern China, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. This small turtle has a head so large it cannot be withdrawn into its shell.
 

Softshell Turtles  (Trionychidae)  SE Asia: ~15 species (worldwide ~30 species)

Softshell turtles lack hard, rigid scales or scutes - instead they possess a pliable, leathery carapace. Thus, they are flatter and less domed than hard-shell terrapins, which allows them to more easily submerge and to lie undetected on muddy or silty substrates. They have long necks, and elongated nostrils which can be discretely extended above the water's surface to breathe. Around half of the world's softshell turtles occur within Southeast Asia.  Examples:
 

Snake-necked Turtles (Chelidae)  SE Asia (including southern New Guinea): 5 species (worldwide 16 species)

Snake-necked turtles, of the genus Chelodina, are an ancient group of specialist fish-eaters whose long necks must be turned sideways to achieve protection beneath the carapace. They are geographically centred on the islands of New Guinea and Australia. The range of four of these extends into the western half of New Guinea (i.e. part of Indonesia), and a fifth species, Chelodina mccordi, occurs on the islands of Roti (Indonesia) and Timor-Leste.  Examples:
 

Pig-nosed Turtles  (Carettochelyidae)   Worldwide 1 species only

The Pig-nosed Turtle (Carettochelys insculpta) is the only species in the Carettochelyidae family. This unique turtle inhabits lowland streams and rivers of southern New Guinea and the Northern Territory of Australia. Their flippers are similar to those of marine turtles, and their carapace is leathery, but their most unusual feature is their pig-like snout. They are illegally traded, and released pets are sometimes encountered, for example in Singapore.
 

Commonly-released new world turtles  (Emydidae)

Turtles of the family Emydidae, which hail from the Americas, are widely available in the international pet trade. They are typically purchased as small, brightly-patterned juveniles, but as they grow larger and their juvenile colours fade they are often released into streams, rivers and lakes, particularly in urban areas. Their eggs and hatchlings are easy prey for predators or scavengers, particularly the Malayan Water Monitor.  Examples: