Big-headed turtle

Big-headed Turtle ( Platysternon megacephalum )

The big-headed turtle ( Platysternon megacephalum ) is the only species in the family of Big-headed turtle ( Platysternidae ).

Big-headed turtle reach a body length of about 20 centimeters, have a relatively large head, like other turtles can not retract completely into the tank, and a long tail, they can not also completely pull in the tank. For their protection, they have great horny scales at these locations. Since they can not withdraw their head, big-headed turtles behave towards enemies not passive, but will attack and try to expel the enemy through bites.

The distribution of nocturnal big-headed Turtle is located in southern China, Burma, Thailand and Vietnam. She lives there and in cool mountain streams and feeds on snails, crabs and fish. With their strong jaws they crack the hard shells of prey. Since it is not a good swimmer, it runs on water bottom along or climb trees and shrubs. The two- egg clutch is deposited in a Erdmulde. The low number of eggs can be explained by the fact that the big-headed turtle has few enemies. After oviposition, the female smoothes out the earth above the nest. The young have to dig after hatching itself.

Subspecies

  • P. m. megacephalum
  • P. m. peguense
  • P. m. shiui
  • P. m. tristernalis
  • P. m. vogeli
Genus John Edward Gray
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