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Family : GEOEMYDIDAE
Species : Malayemys macrocephala
Maximum carapace length : 21 cm
Malayemys macrocephala
(Malayan Snail-eating Turtle) is a relatively small freshwater terrapin
currently evaluated as 'least concern' by IUCN; formerly it was widely categorised as 'vulnerable', however IUCN
state that the population has increased in the past 20 years (Cota, 2021).
It inhabits wet lowlands, and adapts well to rice paddies and associated
drainage ditches, where it feeds mainly on snails.
Its carapace is a rich brown in colour, and is relatively flat. There is a
narrow vertebral ridge, and a less distinct parallel ridge on either side
(see Fig 4). Its head and neck are brown to black, with pale stripes; diagnostically for this species there
are four or
fewer pale stripes below the
snout. The plastron is pale yellow with black blotches, and there is a pale
stripe on the front legs. Females are larger than males.
This is a wide-ranging species known to occur in the lowlands of
northern, west-central and southern Thailand, and northern Peninsular Malaysia,
although the population in the latter territory is considered to be
restricted. Its range may extend westwards into parts of Myanmar.
Figs 1 to 4 : Images of a fully grown adult found near the margins of a freshwater pond
in Kaeng Krachan district, Phetchaburi Province, Thailand.
Photos thanks to Charles Currin
References :
Auliya, M. (2007). An Identification Guide to the Tortoises and
Freshwater Turtles of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New
Guinea, Philippines, Singapore and Timor Leste. Traffic Southeast Asia.
99 pp.
Cota, M. 2021. Malayemys macrocephala. The IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species 2021.
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