This large freshwater turtle inhabits streams in forests and agricultural areas. By day it lies hidden in stream margins, but at night it becomes active searching for food.

The carapace, which is oval-rounded in shape, is of variable colour and sometimes  bears lighter spots. The species is most easily identified by the spotted pattern of the head. The neck is long, thick and flexible. The forefeet in particular bear extremely sharp claws used for digging in muddy or sandy sediments. Its diet is variable and includes insects, crustaceans, fish, vegetation and carrion.

The Asiatic Soft-shell Turtle is wide-ranging from Burma, Thailand and Indochina to Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Borneo, Sumatra and Java.

Fig 1 : Juvenile with mottled and speckled carapace measuring 15 cm, in a shallow forest stream filled with leaf litter, Singapore.  

Fig 2 : The markings on the carapace serve as excellent camouflage.

Fig 3 : The snout is elongated and pig-like.

Fig 4 : Adult diving for cover in a shallow forest stream, Singapore.



Family : TRIONYCHIDAE
Species : Amyda cartilaginea
Maximum Carapace Length : 75 cm

References : H1, H2, H3