Chinese Red-Necked Pond Turtle

Native to Asia

This Asian species can grow up to 30 cm for females and 20 cm for males. It has a very black shell and skin with a few thin, broken yellow lines on its neck. Its scientific name, "nigricans," means "blackening" due to the turtle's dark coloration. Juveniles have a bright orange plastron at birth, but as they age, it darkens and also becomes black. Surprisingly, despite its dark coloration, it has a remarkable ability to camouflage within its environment, making it difficult to detect by predators and observers.

It inhabits various aquatic environments: ponds, marshes, swamps, and streams. It shows a strong preference for calm, shallow waters where it hunts invertebrates, small fish, and aquatic vegetation. An interesting fact is that when it feels threatened, the keeled box turtle can emit a hissing sound, earning it the local nickname "hissing turtle."

This turtle has long been collected for the pet trade and human consumption, especially in Southeast Asia, where it is considered a delicacy. Additionally, some cultures attribute medicinal properties to it. As a result, it is now listed on the IUCN Red List (International Union for Conservation of Nature). Efforts are currently underway to educate local populations on the importance of preserving this unique species.

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