Platysternon megacephalum (Gray, 1831)
Big-headed Terrapin 大頭龜
Carapace brownish.
Plastron greyish yellow and reduced in size.
Young turtle has an orange plastron with a large dark marking in the middle, which fades with age.
Head brownish, enormous and unretractable.
Hooked beak in upper jaw.
Young turtle has a yellow line extend backward from each eye, which fade with age.
Long tailed covered with scale.
Strong limbs with claws.
Hill and mountain streams. Prefer large streams.
Requires shaded and fast-running water.
Usually found in pools of cascading streams.
Sometimes hide under rock.
Can climb steep rock.
Hisses and attempts to bite when handled.
Reported to hibernate below 10°C.
However, recent studies on the droppings of this species found both plant and animal remains.
Therefore this species is evident to be omnivorous.
The stone of Machilus species were predominant in the droppings.
Locally found in New Territories and Lantau Island.
Occurs in
China, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietname.
IUCN Redlist: EN (Endangered)
China Redlist: Endangered
