Cuora mouhotii (Keeled Box Turtle)

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Home > Turtle Database > Cuora mouhotii (Keeled Box Turtle)

Credit: Wikipedia

Cuora mouhotii is a species of turtle known for its distinctive keeled shell and secretive nature. This medium-sized turtle is primarily found in forested areas and has unique behaviors that make it fascinating to herpetologists.

Native To These Regions

Assam (India), Bangladesh, China, Guangxi (China), Guizhou (China), Hainan (China), India, Laos, Meghalaya (India), Myanmar, Nagaland (India), Thailand, Vietnam

Native Turtle Species Map – Find Turtles by Region

Scientific Classification

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Reptilia
  • Order: Testudines
  • Family: Geoemydidae
  • Genus: Cuora
  • Species: Cuora mouhotii

Common Names

  • Keeled Box Turtle

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Identification

Description

Cuora mouhotii has a high-domed, keeled shell that is brown to black in color. The carapace features three distinct ridges (keels) running from front to back. Its plastron is yellowish with dark blotches, and its limbs are covered in tough scales.

Sexual Dimorphism

Males are generally smaller than females and have a more concave plastron, while females possess a flatter plastron.

Check more turtles from the Cuora genus

Cuora zhoui (Zhou’s Box Turtle)

Cuora yunnanensis (Yunnan Box Turtle)

Cuora trifasciata (Chinese three-banded box turtle)

Native Origin and Distribution

Geographical Range

This species is found in Southeast Asia, specifically in parts of China, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and India.

Preferred Habitat

Cuora mouhotii inhabits subtropical and tropical moist forests, often preferring mountainous regions with ample leaf litter and understory vegetation.

Behavior

Feeding Habits

This turtle is omnivorous, feeding on a variety of fruits, invertebrates, and plant matter.

Predators

Natural predators include birds of prey, larger mammals, and humans.

Reproduction

Breeding Season

The breeding season typically occurs from late spring to early summer.

Reproductive Method

Females lay a small clutch of eggs, usually one to three, in shallow nests dug in the soil or leaf litter.

Conservation

Extinction Status

Cuora mouhotii is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

Threats

Major threats include habitat destruction, illegal pet trade, and hunting for traditional medicine.

Conservation Measures

Conservation efforts include habitat protection, captive breeding programs, and stricter enforcement of wildlife trade regulations.

Economic Importance

While not widely significant economically, Cuora mouhotii is occasionally traded in the pet market and used in traditional medicine.

Interesting Facts

  • Cuora mouhotii can completely close its shell, thanks to a hinged plastron, providing effective protection against predators.
  • This species is named after Henri Mouhot, a French naturalist who is best known for his explorations in Southeast Asia.

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.