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Indochinese Box Turtle
Paignton Zoo is currently home to three Indochinese box turtles., who live in our Tropical Trails exhibit.
Class:
Reptilia
Order:
Testudines
Family:
Geoemydidae
About the Indochinese box turtle
The Indochinese box turtle is a forest-dwelling turtle with a dark brown shell and distinctive yellow markings on the head. Growing to around 20–25 centimetres in length, it inhabits moist evergreen forests, often in upland areas near streams.
An omnivorous species, it feeds on plant matter, fruit and small invertebrates. Like other box turtles, it is capable of closing its shell tightly to protect itself from predators.
Conservation
This species is classified as Critically Endangered, with over-collection for food and the international wildlife trade severely affecting populations in Vietnam, Laos and China, alongside ongoing habitat loss.