Big-headed Terrapin

Inset: hatchling (left) ventral view (right)

Description: A medium-sized terrapin, up to 20 cm in carapace length, but more often 10-12.5 cm. Shell depressed. Head and carapace brownish in colour. In adult males both are speckled with orange. Plastron yellowish tan. Bridge very short. Head enormous, swollen at the sides and sharply triangular in shape; not retractable. Upper jaw with prominent, hooked beak. Young specimens have a pale line extending backwards from each eye. Their plastral scutes are flushed with orange and have a large dark marking in the middle, which fade with age. Tail very long and scaly (unusual in a turtle), exceeding the half the carapace length. Feet strongly clawed.

Habits and habitat: Lives in hill and mountain streams. Seems to require moderate shade and swift-running water. Usually inhabits large streams, but may ascend smaller feeder streams. Can climb steep rocks well. Although primarily nocturnal, may be seen during daylight hours on rainy days. Small specimens are sometimes found under rocks in streams. Wanders about, occasionally crossing roads, towards some distant water source. Marked specimens have been known to move a considerable distance from the point of release. Has a snappy disposition. When handled, hisses and attempts to bite. Is offer for sale in food markets.

Diet: Strictly carnivorous. In the wild probably feeds on fish, frogs, large shrimps and insect larvae. Does well in captivity and will accept meat, dead fish and earthworms.

Reproduction: Breeding habits in the wild not well known, but breeders report that it lays only two large eggs at a time.

Distribution: Has been found most often in the pools of cascading streams in the Tai Mo Shan area; also at Tai Po Kau, Ma On Shan and Sunset Peak (Lantau Island). Its range includes central and southern China, and parts of Burma, Vietnam and Thailand.

Diagnostic features: Carapace low and flattened; triangular, non-retractable head; sharp, hook-like beak; long, scaly tail.