Chitra chitra (Asian Giant Softshell Turtle)

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Home > Turtle Database > Chitra chitra (Asian Giant Softshell Turtle)

Chitra chitra, commonly known as the Asian Narrow-headed Softshell Turtle, is a large freshwater turtle species known for its distinctively elongated head and flattened shell. This turtle is noteworthy not only for its unique physical attributes but also for its rarity and critically endangered status.

Native To These Regions

Borneo (Brunei), Borneo (Indonesia), Borneo (Malaysia), Java (Indonesia), Kalimantan (Indonesia), Kedah (Malaysia), Pahang (Malaysia), Perak (Malaysia), Sumatra (Indonesia), Terengganu (Malaysia)

Native Turtle Species Map – Find Turtles by Region

Scientific Classification

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Reptilia
  • Order: Testudines
  • Family: Trionychidae
  • Genus: Chitra
  • Species: C. chitra

Common Names

  • Asian Giant Softshell Turtle
  • Asian narrow-headed softshell turtle

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Identification

  • Description: Characterized by a soft, leathery shell that can reach up to 100 cm in length. The shell is olive green, often with dark spots. The head is narrow and elongated, with a protruding snout.
  • Sexual Dimorphism: Males typically have thicker and longer tails compared to females.

Check more turtles from the Chitra genus

Chitra vandijki (Van Dijk’s Softshell Turtle)

Chitra indica (Indian narrow-headed softshell turtle)

Native Origin and Distribution

  • Geographical Range: Native to Southeast Asia, including parts of Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

Preferred Habitat

  • Prefers large, deep rivers with sandy or muddy bottoms where it can easily burrow for camouflage and protection.

Behavior

  • Feeding Habits: Carnivorous, feeding primarily on fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.
  • Predators: Mainly large fish and humans, particularly through poaching and habitat destruction.

Reproduction

  • Breeding Season: Occurs during the rainy season.
  • Reproductive Method: Oviparous, with females laying eggs in sandy banks along river edges.

Conservation

  • Extinction Status: Critically Endangered
  • Threats: Habitat loss, pollution, and illegal wildlife trade are significant threats.
  • Conservation Measures: Protected under CITES Appendix II, with various in-situ and ex-situ conservation programs aiming to protect its remaining populations.

Economic Importance

  • Limited economic importance due to its endangered status, though it is sometimes exploited in the illegal pet trade.

Interesting Facts

  • Chitra chitra can stay submerged underwater for up to five hours by absorbing oxygen through its skin.

Research Studies

For a more detailed scientific insight into Chitra chitra, you can read the research paper linked here: Phylogenetic diversity of endangered and critically endangered southeast Asian softshell turtles (Trionychidae: Chitra)

About Author

Muntaseer Rahman started keeping pet turtles back in 2013. He also owns the largest Turtle & Tortoise Facebook community in Bangladesh. These days he is mostly active on Facebook.