The large-headed turtle, a rare and endangered species, is listed under strict protection categories in both Vietnam and the world. It has recently been discovered in Quang Nam Province.
On the morning of April 10, while patrolling, the forest rangers from Forest Management Station No. 4 (located in Bac Tra My District, Quang Nam Province) discovered a turtle trapped in vines at a stream in Tra Giang Commune (Bac Tra My District).
Afterward, the forest rangers rescued the turtle, checked its health status, and released it back into its natural habitat.
Rare large-headed turtle rescued by forest rangers.
According to observations, this turtle weighs nearly 1 kg and is about 20 cm long. Its tail is nearly the same length as its body, and its head is covered with very hard scutes that cannot retract into its shell. The upper jaw forms a hook resembling a parrot’s beak. These are the identifying characteristics of the large-headed turtle (Platysternon megacephalum).
This species lives in forest streams where the water is clear and slow-moving, at elevations of over 600 meters above sea level, in natural forests from the North to Central and Central Highlands of Vietnam.
During the day, they usually hide under rocks or sunbathe on the riverbanks, coming out at night to search for food, which includes invertebrates, mollusks, or small crustaceans. When fully grown, the large-headed turtle can reach a shell size of over 20 cm.
This turtle species is listed as critically endangered in the Red Data Book of the World due to overexploitation and excessive trade. If not prevented, this species will disappear in the near future. In Vietnam, the large-headed turtle is classified as group IB in the strictly protected list, and any harmful activities related to this turtle will be heavily penalized.
