Chinese softshell turtle
Pelodiscus sinensis
VulnerablePhoto: CC BY-SA 3.0
Reptileomnivore
The Chinese softshell turtle is a freshwater reptile with a leathery shell, originally from China and Taiwan. It's turned up in unexpected places like Spain and Hawaii, likely after escaping or being released by humans.
- Its shell feels leathery instead of hard like most turtles.
- Some populations now live far from China after accidental releases.
- Young ones often have more colorful markings than adults.
FreshwaterWetlandAsia
Read more on WikipediaAt a glance
- Classification
- Reptile
- Scientific name
- Pelodiscus sinensis
- Habitat
- Freshwater, Wetland
- Regions in this directory
- Asia
- Diet
- omnivore
- Relative size
- medium
- IUCN Red List
- Vulnerable (VU)