The giant softshell turtle singer or Asian giant softshell turtle ( Pelochelys cantorii ) is a native Southeast Asian turtle species. It has been regarded as the largest freshwater turtle that still exists. This species is endangered and in the 20th century has disappeared from most of the ancient territories.
Video Cantor's giant softshell turtle
Taxonomy
The wizard's softshell giant turtle is not found in New Guinea, while the other two members of the genus Pelochelys, P. bibroni and P. signifera are both limited to New Guinea. P. cantorii is relatively unreviewed, and the current species actually consists of several taxa. One study from 1995 shows what was once regarded as P. cantorii in New Guinea was actually P. bibroni , and previous studies on P. cantorii only describes populations further west.
Maps Cantor's giant softshell turtle
Description
Giant softshell turtle Cantor has a wide head and small eyes near the tip of his snout. Carapace smooth and olive-colored. Teenagers may have carapace and dark head, with yellow color around the carapace.
Although the report can grow to 1.8 meters (5.9 ft) and is the largest freshwater turtle in the world, the maximum size and title is very turbid. Apparently the largest-sized carapace specimen, 129 cm (51 inches), is known to be suspicious and the heaviest known specimen (weighing approximately 250 kg is actually a grossly identified unidentified Softshell tortoise identified.) A more realistic carapace range for this species is reported 70 to 100 centimeters (28 to 39 Â °) and is one of about half a dozen giant softshell turtles of three genera that reach a very large size, that is more than 100 kg (220 pounds) in mass.
This species is an ambush predator and is mainly carnivorous, fed on crustaceans, mollusks and fish (although some aquatic plants are also edible). The turtle spends 95% of his life buried and immobile, only his eyes and mouth protruding from the sand. Its surface is only twice a day to take a breath, and put 20-28 eggs measuring about 3.0 to 3.6 cm (1.2 to 1.4 inches) in diameter in February or March by the river.
The morphological differences in neural bone counting have been noted among the specimens found in the Philippines and mainland Asia.
This species is named after the Danish zoologist Theodore Edward Cantor.
Distribution and habitat
This species is found mainly in slow-moving land, river and freshwater streams. Some evidence suggests its reach extends to coastal areas, as well. It occurs in eastern and southern India, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, eastern and southern China, the Philippines (Luzon and Mindanao), and Indonesia (Kalimantan, Java and Sumatra).
Preservation
The giant turtle owned by singer Cantor is classified as Endangered by the IUCN and has been lost from many reaches. Prior to 2007, it was last seen in Cambodia in 2003. A 2007 survey of one Mekong River region in Cambodia found that turtles abound along the 48 kilometer (30 mile) stretch of the river.
In the Philippines, the cantor teenage turtle known as "cagot" appears and is captured by a fisherman along the Addalam River, Cabarroguis, Quirino, Isabela. In 2001, the turtle was sent to Chicago and his identity was confirmed.
References
Further reading
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Das, Indraneil; Lakim, Maklarin (December 2006). "About Distribution Pelochelys cantorii in Kalimantan". Chelonian Conservation and Biology . 5 (2): 323-325. doi: 10.2744/1071-8443 (2006) 5 [323: OTDOPC] 2.0.CO; 2. Ã, - McCord, William P.; Joseph-Ouni, Mehdi (2003). "Flapshell and Giant Asian Softshell Turtles". Reptiles . 26 : 59-64.
- Webb, Robert G (2002). "Observations on Giant Softshell Turtle, Pelochelys cantorii , with new species description". Hamadryad . 27 (1): 99-107.
External links
Media related to Pelochelys cantorii on Wikimedia Commons
- " Pelochelys cantorii ". Reptile Database. No date. Retrieved 18 May 2007.
- "Pelochelys Gallery". Turtle and Turtle Information. World Chelonian Trust. No date. Retrieved 18 May 2007.
- Soft Shell Turtle is found in Sabang Pulau Weh Sumatra Indonesia.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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