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What kind of turtle is the dragon-headed turtle?

2023-05-15 16:38:15 125

The Chinese Big-Headed Turtle (English name: Chinese Big-Headed Turtle, scientific name: Platysternon megacephalum) is a semi-aquatic turtle living in southern China and northern Vietnam. It is an old turtle and is considered one of the most primitive side-necked turtles.


The dragon-headed turtle has a very large, square-shaped head that is wider than its neck. Their hind limbs are thick and short, suitable for crawling and swimming in the water, while their forelimbs are more flexible and can be used to grab or dig food. The dragon-headed turtle's shell is also quite special. Because of the shallow bony plates on its back, it looks like a gray leather bag.


Dragon-headed turtles are omnivores, and their food includes insects, worms, small fish, aquatic plants, etc. They prefer to search for food underwater, but will also crawl onto land to forage. In the natural environment, dragon-headed turtles are often captured and used as food or medicinal materials, resulting in a sharp decline in their numbers. They are now listed as national second-level key protected animals.

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