Vietnamese Box Turtle – Cuora picturata – Lehr, Fritz & Obst, 1998

Science name: Cuora picturata – Lehr, Fritz & Obst, 1998

Taxonomic:  Animalia>> Chordata>> Reptilia>> Testudines >> Geoemydidae >> picturata

Species status: Endemic ; IUCN status: CR (Critically Endangered Species)

Description:

Physical characteristics: Cuora picturata is a medium-sized turtle with a carapace length of 15 to 19 cm, and a weight of up to 1,100 grams. The carapace is brown to orange-brown with a white stripe on each side passing through the lateral scutes. The head is yellow or cream-colored with distinct gray net-like markings. The plastron is cream-colored with large black spots on each scute. Males and females reach similar sizes, and hatchlings are about 45–50 mm long and weigh 15–24 g.
Males typically have a slightly concave plastron, larger claws, and a longer, thicker tail compared to females.

Distribution and habitat:

Elevation: Found at elevations ranging from 300 to 600 meters.
Area: Endemic to southern Vietnam, particularly restricted to the eastern slopes of the Langbian Plateau in Khanh Hoa and southern Phu Yen provinces. It may also occur in eastern Dac Lac and northern Ninh Thuan provinces, but this is unconfirmed. The estimated area of occupancy (AOO) is around 3,000 km², while the estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) is about 25,000 km².
Habitat: This species inhabits broadleaf evergreen forests mixed with bamboo at altitudes between 346 and 561 meters. It is typically found on the forest floor. The remaining suitable habitat is fragmented and significantly reduced due to agricultural expansion and habitat conversion.

Behaviour and ecology:

Lifestyle: This species is terrestrial, living in dense forested environments. It is primarily active on the forest floor, foraging for food and sheltering under leaf litter.

Reproduction: Cuora picturata is oviparous, with females laying 1 to 3 large eggs per year. The eggs can measure up to 60 x 35 mm. Reproduction and development are largely observed in captivity, and there is limited information on its reproductive habits in the wild.

Diet: The diet of Cuora picturata in the wild is not well documented, but it is believed to be omnivorous, feeding on a variety of plant material and small animals such as earthworms and insects. In captivity, they are known to consume fruits, vegetables, and animal proteins.

Conservation and status:

IUCN Red List Category and Criteria: Critically Endangered (CR) A2bd+4bd
Listed due to a population decline exceeding 90% over the past 60 years (three generations), primarily caused by over-collection for the pet trade and human consumption. The species remains under extreme collection pressure, which is expected to continue or increase in the future.
Threats:
The main threat to Cuora picturata is illegal collection for the pet trade and human consumption. Habitat loss due to agricultural expansion is also a significant concern. Surveys have shown a significant decrease in population densities, with reports from hunters indicating that these turtles were common 7–15 years ago but are now increasingly rare. Suitable habitat continues to shrink due to deforestation and land conversion for agriculture.
Conservation efforts: Protection efforts are focused on curbing illegal trade and habitat preservation. Captive breeding programs exist, though they are not sufficient to offset the population decline in the wild. In situ conservation measures, including habitat protection and stricter enforcement of wildlife trade regulations, are urgently needed.