Home > Turtle & Tortoise Database > Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
The flat-tailed tortoise is a small, critically endangered tortoise found only in Madagascar. It’s best known for its unusually flat shell, which helps it hide under leaf litter. Its unique shape and limited range make it one of the rarest tortoises in the world. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: TestudinidaeGenus: PyxisSpecies: Pyxis planicauda…
Pyxis arachnoides, or the common spider tortoise, is a small and striking tortoise species native to Madagascar. It gets its name from the web-like pattern on its shell, which looks like a spider’s web. This tortoise is critically endangered and found only in limited areas of dry forest. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily:…
Pseudemydura umbrina, known as the Western Swamp Turtle, is one of Australia’s rarest reptiles. It’s a small, freshwater turtle that only lives in a few seasonal swamps near Perth, Western Australia. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: ChelidaeGenus: PseudemyduraSpecies: P. umbrina Common Names Western Swamp TurtleWestern Swamp Tortoise Identification DescriptionThis turtle is small and…
Psammobates geometricus, also known as the geometric tortoise, is one of the most visually striking tortoise species on earth. It’s critically endangered and found only in a small part of South Africa. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: TestudinidaeGenus: PsammobatesSpecies: Psammobates geometricus Common Names Geometric TortoiseGeometric Padloper Identification DescriptionThis tortoise has a small, domed…
Podocnemis lewyana is a freshwater turtle found only in Colombia. It’s known for its smooth shell and gentle nature. Sadly, this species is now highly endangered due to human activities. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: PodocnemididaeGenus: PodocnemisSpecies: P. lewyana Common Names Magdalena River TurtleColombian River Turtle Identification DescriptionThis turtle has a smooth, oval-shaped…
Platysternon megacephalum, also known as the Big-headed Turtle, is a rare and ancient-looking species with a distinctively large head that it cannot retract into its shell. It’s known for its powerful jaws and its unique climbing ability, which is unusual among turtles. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: PlatysternidaeGenus: PlatysternonSpecies: Platysternon megacephalum Common Names…
Pelochelys cantorii, or Cantor’s Giant Softshell Turtle, is one of the largest freshwater turtles in the world. Known for its broad, smooth shell and secretive nature, this species spends most of its life buried in sand, surfacing only to breathe or feed. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: TrionychidaeGenus: PelochelysSpecies: P. cantorii Common Names…
Pangshura sylhetensis, also known as the Assam Roofed Turtle, is a rare freshwater species found in parts of Northeast India and Bangladesh. It is small, brightly colored, and critically endangered due to habitat loss and limited distribution. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: GeoemydidaeGenus: PangshuraSpecies: P. sylhetensis Common Names Assam Roofed TurtleSylhet Roofed Turtle…
The wattle-necked softshell turtle (Palea steindachneri) is a unique freshwater turtle known for the fleshy wattles on its neck and its flat, leathery shell. It is a softshell species that spends most of its life underwater, using stealth and speed to survive. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: TrionychidaeGenus: PaleaSpecies: Palea steindachneri Common Names…
The Egyptian Tortoise (Testudo kleinmanni) is one of the smallest tortoise species in the world, adapted to arid desert environments. This critically endangered species is known for its pale coloration, which helps it blend into sandy habitats and reflect heat. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: TestudinidaeGenus: TestudoSpecies: T. kleinmanni Common Names Egyptian TortoiseLeith’s…
Sternotherus depressus, also known as the Flattened Musk Turtle, is a small freshwater turtle found only in a limited area of Alabama, USA. Its flattened shell helps it hide under rocks in fast-flowing streams, making it well-adapted to life in clear, rocky waters. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: KinosternidaeGenus: SternotherusSpecies: depressus Common Names…
Siebenrockiella leytensis, also known as the Philippine forest turtle, is a rare freshwater species native to the Philippines. This secretive turtle is highly endangered due to habitat loss and illegal wildlife trade, making it one of the most sought-after and threatened turtles in the world. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: GeoemydidaeGenus: SiebenrockiellaSpecies: Siebenrockiella…
Sacalia quadriocellata, commonly known as the Four-eyed Turtle, is a small freshwater turtle native to parts of Asia. It is named for the two pairs of eye-like spots on the back of its head, which may serve as a defense mechanism against predators. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: GeoemydidaeGenus: SacaliaSpecies: Sacalia quadriocellata Common…
Nilssonia nigricans, commonly known as the Black Softshell Turtle, is a freshwater species native to South Asia. Once considered extinct in the wild, it survives mainly due to conservation efforts in temple ponds and protected areas. This species is known for its distinct dark-colored carapace and unique softshell structure. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder:…
Nilssonia leithii, commonly known as Leith’s Softshell Turtle, is a freshwater species native to India. This large softshell turtle is primarily found in rivers and reservoirs, though its population has declined due to habitat destruction and exploitation. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: TrionychidaeGenus: NilssoniaSpecies: Nilssonia leithii Common Names Leith’s Softshell Turtle Identification Description…
Nilssonia formosa, commonly known as the Burmese peacock softshell turtle, is a rare freshwater species found in Southeast Asia. It is known for its striking appearance, featuring a pattern of eye-like spots on its carapace, resembling the feathers of a peacock. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: TrionychidaeGenus: NilssoniaSpecies: Nilssonia formosa Common Names Burmese…
Ranacephala hogei, also known as Hoge’s side-necked turtle, is a rare freshwater species native to Brazil. This turtle belongs to the Chelidae family and is distinguished by its habit of tucking its head sideways rather than retracting it fully into the shell. Due to habitat destruction and other threats, it is considered one of the…
Rafetus swinhoei, known as the Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle, is one of the rarest turtles in the world. It holds the unfortunate title of being on the brink of extinction, with only a handful of individuals confirmed in existence. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: TrionychidaeGenus: RafetusSpecies: R. swinhoei Common Names Yangtze Giant Softshell…
Orlitia borneensis, known as the Malaysian Giant Turtle, is one of the largest freshwater turtles in Southeast Asia. This species is highly aquatic and prefers deep, slow-moving rivers and lakes. Due to habitat loss and illegal trade, its population has declined significantly in recent years. Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesFamily: GeoemydidaeGenus: OrlitiaSpecies: O….
Mesoclemmys dahli, commonly known as Dahl’s Toad-headed Turtle, is a distinctive freshwater turtle species recognized for its unique head shape and vibrant coloration. Native to specific regions in South America, this turtle plays a crucial role in its ecosystem and faces various conservation challenges. Scientific Classification Common Names Identification Description Dahl’s Toad-headed Turtle is characterized…
Mauremys sinensis, commonly known as the Chinese stripe-necked turtle, is a freshwater turtle species native to East Asia. Recognized by its distinctive neck stripes, this turtle plays a significant role in both its ecosystem and local economies. Scientific Classification Common Names Identification Description Mauremys sinensis features a moderately domed carapace adorned with yellow or orange…
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