Next Up, Is A Special Group Of Turtles, I.e. The S..

Next up, is a special group of turtles, i.e. the softshell turtles!

They are so-called because they have a flexible, leathery carapace, instead of a hard shell. The light shells allow them to move more easily in open water and along muddy lake bottoms and much faster on land than most turtles!

First, we have the Narrow-headed Softshell Turtle (Chitra chitra), that grows to over 1.2 metres in length and weighs up to 254 kilograms!

This enormous turtle is a highly specialised ambush predator—partially burying themselves in the sand, and waiting patiently with just their head extended. When an unsuspecting creature wanders too closely, before it even knows what’s going on, it has become lunch!

This species is rarely found in the wild now. It is threatened by egg collection, exploited for food and the international pet trade, habitat destruction, and being accidentally killed in fishing gear.

So little is known about this species, so we hope more Malaysian researchers who are out there will fall in love with turtles (just like we have!) to study this wonderful species.

📸 @Indraneil Das

#LoveTurtles #conservation #protectnature #wildlifeconservation #DidYouKnow #DidYouKnowFacts #TurtleThursday #TurtlesofInstagram #wildlife #freshwaterturtles



Next up, is a special group of turtles, i.e. the softshell turtles!

They are so-called because they have a flexible, leathery carapace, instead of a hard shell. The light shells allow them to move more easily in open water and along muddy lake bottoms and much faster on land than most turtles!

First, we have the Narrow-headed Softshell Turtle (Chitra chitra), that grows to over 1.2 metres in length and weighs up to 254 kilograms!

This enormous turtle is a highly specialised ambush predator—partially burying themselves in the sand, and waiting patiently with just their head extended. When an unsuspecting creature wanders too closely, before it even knows what’s going on, it has become lunch!

This species is rarely found in the wild now. It is threatened by egg collection, exploited for food and the international pet trade, habitat destruction, and being accidentally killed in fishing gear.

So little is known about this species, so we hope more Malaysian researchers who are out there will fall in love with turtles (just like we have!) to study this wonderful species.

📸 @Indraneil Das

#LoveTurtles #conservation #protectnature #wildlifeconservation #DidYouKnow #DidYouKnowFacts #TurtleThursday #TurtlesofInstagram #wildlife #freshwaterturtles

Source: https://www.facebook.com/TurtleConservationSocietyofMalaysia..

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Turtle Conservation Society

The Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia was established in October 2011. The aim of the society is to bring about the recovery of depleted wild populations of turtles, with particular reference to freshwater turtles, in Malaysia through partnerships with like-minded organizations, individuals and local communities as well as through its own programs.

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