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Chinese Softshell Turtle

Reptiles

The Chinese softshell turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis, is a freshwater turtle of the family Trionychidae native to mainland China and Taiwan, distinguished by a flexible, leathery shell that lacks the hard horny scutes of most turtles; a layer of solid bone underlies the central carapace but is absent at the flexible outer edges, giving it greater aquatic mobility. Females reach carapace lengths up to about 33 centimeters and males about 27 centimeters, with an olive-colored carapace, orange-red plastron, and dark eye-radiating lines on the head. It has been introduced and become invasive in parts of Asia, Spain, Brazil and Hawaii, and is described as the world's most economically important turtle, with millions farmed in China each year for food.

Facts
Classification
Diet
Carnivore 1
System (Realm)
Freshwater 2
Relationship to People
Farmed or Commercially Raised 1
Relationship to People
Hunted or Fished 1
Living or Extinct
Yes 3
Comparison
NatureServe Rank
G4 Apparently Secure 4
CITES Appendix
Appendix II 1
Scientific Name
Pelodiscus sinensis 3
Conservation Status
Vulnerable 3
Connections

Child Taxon Of

Trionychidae, Taxa
Source Chinese Softshell Turtle (Wikidata)

In Biome

Freshwater Marsh, Biomes
Source Chinese Softshell Turtle (Wikipedia)
Lake, Biomes
Source Chinese Softshell Turtle (Wikipedia)
River, Biomes
Source Chinese Softshell Turtle (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases

Found In

Australia

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Belgium

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Cambodia

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Indonesia

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Iran

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Italy

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Japan

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Latvia

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Malaysia

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

North America

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Philippines

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Portugal

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Romania

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Singapore

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Slovenia

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

South Africa

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

South Asia

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Spain

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Taiwan

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Thailand

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Timor-Leste

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

United States

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Sources
1. Chinese Softshell Turtle (Wikipedia)
  • collection for food such as turtle soup
  • millions are now farmed, especially in China, to support the food industry
  • article text (diet), EntityId 319915
    P. sinensis is predominantly carnivorous and the remains of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, insects, and seeds of marsh plants have been found in its stomach.
  • Infobox: status2
    CITES_A2
  • In Biome: River, Distribution
    In 2024, the species was found in the Merrimack River in Massachusetts.
  • In Biome: Freshwater Marsh, Habitat
    In China it is found in rivers, lakes, ponds, canals and creeks with slow currents, and in Hawaii they can be found in marshes and drainage ditches.
  • In Biome: Lake, Habitat
    In China it is found in rivers, lakes, ponds, canals and creeks with slow currents, and in Hawaii they can be found in marshes and drainage ditches.
  • In Biome: River, Habitat
    In China it is found in rivers, lakes, ponds, canals and creeks with slow currents, and in Hawaii they can be found in marshes and drainage ditches.
View the Source
2. GBIF Species API
GBIF Species APIView the Source
3. Chinese Softshell Turtle (Wikidata)
Wikidata
  • Wikidata Q754028 (P225 taxon name)
  • Wikidata P141 (IUCN conservation status) claim, entity QID Q754028
  • Statements section, conservation status (P141)
    IUCN Red List conservation status (Wikidata property P141): vulnerable.
  • Child Taxon Of: Trionychidae, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chain
View the Source
4. NatureServe Explorer: Pelodiscus sinensis
NatureServe ExplorerGlobal rank (roundedGRank)
Quote, Global rank (roundedGRank)
"roundedGRank": "G4"
View the Source
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