Snapping Turtle

The big-headed turtle (Platysternon megacephalum) is a aquatic species unique and fascinating, found in the mountainous regions of Southeast Asia. Also known as the big-headed terrapin, the distinctive appearance of its head and uncommon behavior make it an interesting animal for turtle enthusiasts. The Asian big-headed turtle species is the only one in the family Platysternon, distinguished by having a notably flat back, a considerably large head with powerful non-retractable jaws, a wide and sturdy skull, and a very long tail.

Distribution

This species has a wide presence in Southeast Asia, ranging from central China, including Hong Kong, to northern Vietnam, Laos, and northern Thailand.

Characteristics

This turtle is easily identifiable thanks to its huge flat head, which is impossible to hide under its shell.

The head is half as wide as the carapace and is covered by significant horny plates that form a helmet descending along the sides, in front of the ear area. It has powerful jaws and an upper beak that forms a large hook. The carapace is quite flat and sometimes has a slight keel.

Its color ranges from yellowish to olive brown, with dark spots and all the scales show very visible growth rings.

The plastron is not hinged and is well developed. It features a wide anal notch and its color is yellow to light brown, decorated with darker spots. The head is brown to olive, marked with yellow-orange, red, or pink patterns in some subspecies. Its legs are strong, more characteristic of a walking species than a good swimmer. The tail is as long as the carapace, thick at the base, and tapers to a sharp point.

Subspecies

The Platysternon megacephalum is subdivided into five subspecies.

Platysternon megacephalum megacephalum

Also known as the Chinese megacephalic turtle, found in southern China and characterized by an unadorned plastron, a carapace with subtle keels, and slightly notched marginal scutes.

Platysternon megacephalum peguense

Burmese megacephalic turtle, which inhabits western Vietnam to southern Myanmar and has a plastron with dark spots along the sutures, a low dorsal keel, and readable growth rings on the scales.

Platysternon megacephalum shivi

Called the Vietnamese megacephalic turtle, found in northern Vietnam and characterized by a head, neck, carapace, legs, and tail completely spotted with yellow, orange, or pink, a smooth carapace, and unnotched marginals.

Platysternon megacephalum tristemalis

Yunnan Megacephalic Turtle, found only in Yunnan province, China, and has three supernumerary scales.

Platysternon megacephalum vogeli

The Thai Megacephalic Turtle, which is only found in northwest Thailand and is characterized by having a plastron similar to that of the Burmese Megacephalic Turtle, but with a smaller upper jaw and a less developed beak, and a smooth carapace with unnotched margins.

Habits

The described turtle prefers river habitats and mountain streams with fast currents and rocky bottoms. It camouflages itself among the stones on the bottom for much of the day and adapts to cold waters between 12 and 17 °C.

It is mainly nocturnal and hunts mollusks, crustaceans, and fish using its powerful jaws.

It is not an exceptional swimmer; its unique morphology allows it to climb rocks and ascend waterfalls with the help of its long tail.

It is unknown whether its behavior has influenced the growth of its head or if its large head has enabled it to develop this climbing technique. This turtle is aggressive and should be handled with caution, as we have already analyzed with other dangerous turtles like the alligator snapping turtle o snapping turtle.

How big is this species?

The shell does not exceed 19 cm long. It shows a long tail and large head. It is a medium-sized turtle.

What does the snapping turtle eat?

This species feeds mainly on fish, but also accepts mollusks, insects, worms, amphibians, small birds, and mammals.

Reproduction

It lays one or two white eggs measuring 2 x 4 cm. The hatchlings have brighter colors than the adults and their shells are often keeled.

Conservation status

The species is critically endangered throughout its range due to hunting for human consumption, especially in China, where it is rapidly disappearing.

It is threatened by hydroelectric dam construction and deforestation. Although it was once common in some regions, it is now rare and endangered. Vietnam also collects it for export, and it is listed among the 48 most threatened turtle species worldwide. Collectors also capture and export it. Protective measures are essential to prevent its extinction.

This turtle is included in the CITES Appendix II.

Snapping Turtle Video

Snapping Turtle Photos

Below we show images of Platysternon megacephalum:

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