Geographic Range
This species is distributed throughout southeastern Asia. It occurs in southern China
(including Hainan Island), southwest through northern Vietnam, Laos, Kampuchea, and
northern Thailand to southern Burma.
Habitat
Platysternon megacephalum
lives in rocky, mountain streams and brooks. The water of these streams is usually
fast moving and has a temperature of 12° - 17°C which is favored by this species.
- Habitat Regions
- freshwater
- Terrestrial Biomes
- mountains
- Aquatic Biomes
- rivers and streams
- Other Habitat Features
- riparian
Physical Description
Platysternon megacephalum is a very odd-shaped turtle with a huge head and a long tail that are almost the same size as its body. Total body length reachs up to 40 cm. Compared to most turtle species, the head of Platysternon megacephalum is oversized for its body. It's triangular and cannot be withdrawn into its shell. The turtle's skull is solid bone and, unlike most turtles, has no openings in the upper surface. Adults usually have a shell about 15-18 cm in length and it is more flattened than many other freshwater turtles. The carapace is yellow to brown, rectangular with a squared-off front and a more rounded back end, while the plastron is usually yellow. The toes are slightly webbed with strong claws. This species is noted to have legs covered with large scales and a tail that is very long and muscular. If needed, the tail can support the entire weight of the turtle.
There is no marked difference between the male and female, except the plastron of the male has a tendency to be more concave than the female.
The young are more brightly marked than the adults and have more pronounced serrations
at the rear of the carapace. Also, the tail is often longer than that of an adult.
- Other Physical Features
- ectothermic
- bilateral symmetry
- Sexual Dimorphism
- sexes alike
Reproduction
The reproductive habits of
Platysternon megacephalum
are almost completely unknown except for a few details. This species has been reported
to lay 1-2 white eggs at a time that measure about 37 mm by 22 mm. The eggs resemble
bird eggs.
- Key Reproductive Features
- gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate)
- oviparous
Lifespan/Longevity
Behavior
Platysternon megacephalum is nocturnal. It usually spends the day under a rock or under water. At night, it surfaces to search for food along the stream's bottom, or out of the water along the stream's edge. It is not a good swimmer but is well adapted for walking and climbing on rocks.
If aggravated, it will bite and retain its grip for a long period of time. The use
of this animal's strong, hooked jaws can produce very serious injuries. This animal
is not known to be aggressive toward other turtles confined with it.
Food Habits
Platysternon megacephalum
is carnivorous. Using its strong beak and jaws, it consumes small marine and terrestrial
animals such as fish, mollusks, and worms. It often searchs for food at night along
stream bottoms and among low shrubs.
- Primary Diet
-
carnivore
- piscivore
- molluscivore
- vermivore
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
Platysternon megacephalum
is a turtle that has been very common in food markets of southern China. This species
is marketed by pet traders and is bought as souvenirs by tourists.
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
Platysternon megacephalum has no negative economic importance to humans.
Conservation Status
Platysternon megacephalum
is one of several species of Asian turtles that have recently become heavily consumed
in China and other Asian countries. Because of this,
Platysternon megacephalum
is now a rare find and the IUCN classifies it as an endangered species.
Additional Links
Contributors
Marion Vereecke (author), Milford High School, George Campbell (editor), Milford High School.
- oriental
-
found in the oriental region of the world. In other words, India and southeast Asia.
- native range
-
the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic.
- freshwater
-
mainly lives in water that is not salty.
- mountains
-
This terrestrial biome includes summits of high mountains, either without vegetation or covered by low, tundra-like vegetation.
- riparian
-
Referring to something living or located adjacent to a waterbody (usually, but not always, a river or stream).
- oviparous
-
reproduction in which eggs are released by the female; development of offspring occurs outside the mother's body.
- nocturnal
-
active during the night
- motile
-
having the capacity to move from one place to another.
- pet trade
-
the business of buying and selling animals for people to keep in their homes as pets.
- food
-
A substance that provides both nutrients and energy to a living thing.
- carnivore
-
an animal that mainly eats meat
- piscivore
-
an animal that mainly eats fish
- molluscivore
-
eats mollusks, members of Phylum Mollusca
- ectothermic
-
animals which must use heat acquired from the environment and behavioral adaptations to regulate body temperature
- bilateral symmetry
-
having body symmetry such that the animal can be divided in one plane into two mirror-image halves. Animals with bilateral symmetry have dorsal and ventral sides, as well as anterior and posterior ends. Synapomorphy of the Bilateria.
References
Barbour, R., C. Ernst. 1989. Turtles of the World . Washington, D.C., and London: Smithsonian Institution Press.
Higgins, M. Tuesday, October 3, 2000. "Endangered Turtle Count Doubles in Four Years" (On-line). Accessed 01/07/04 at http://www.enn.com/ .
Inger, R., K. Schmidt. 1957. Living Reptiles of the World . Garden City, New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc..
Kirkpatrick, D. 1996. "The Big-headed Turtle, Platysternon megacephalum" (On-line). Accessed 01/07/04 at http://www.unc.edu/~dtkirkpa/stuff/bigheads.html .
Kirkpatrick, D. 1995. The Big-headed Turtle, Platysternon megacephalum. Reptile & Amphibian Magazine , November/December: 40-47.
McCarthy, C. 1991. Reptile . New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
Pope, C. 1955. The Reptile World . New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
Pritchard, D. 1979. Encyclopedia of Turtles . New Jersey: T.F.H. Publications, Inc. Ltd..