The Asian leaf turtle (''Cyclemys dentata'') is a species of

turtle Turtles are an order of reptiles known as Testudines, characterized by a special shell developed mainly from their ribs. Modern turtles are divided into two major groups, the Pleurodira (side necked turtles) and Cryptodira (hidden necked t ...

found in

Southeast Asia Southeast Asia, also spelled South East Asia and South-East Asia, and also known as Southeastern Asia, South-eastern Asia or SEA, is the geographical south-eastern region of Asia, consisting of the regions that are situated south of mainlan ...

. They are quite common in the pet trade; their carapaces resemble that of a ''

Cuora amboinensis The Amboina box turtle or Southeast Asian box turtle (''Cuora amboinensis'') is a species of Asian box turtle. It is found in the Nicobar Islands, eastern India (Assam), Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, central and southern Vie ...

'' hybrid.

Feeding

This species is omnivorous and feeds on vegetation and fruits, and also mollusks, crustaceans and fish. It is also known to be scavenger and very often seen to take carrion.

Behavior

The Asian leaf turtle is quite elusive and sighting is uncommon. It is not strong swimmer preferring instead to walk on the bottom of a body of water rather than swimming freely. According to Das, the adult spends its nights on land and moves to water during the day. It will squirt its digestive system contents when it feels threatened.

Size

Asian leaf turtles can grow 6 to 9.5 inches (15 to 24 cm) long and 4.5 to 6.5 inches in width.

Distribution

The turtle can be found in North India, North-east India (Manipur), Bangladesh, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, West Malaysia, Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Bali), Philippines (Palawan: Calamian Islands etc.), and China. This species is found up to 1,200 m of elevation, but the depth range is unknown.

References

* * * * * Gray, J.E. 1857 Notice of some Indian tortoises (including the description of a new species presented to the British Museum by Professor Oldham). ''Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist.'' (2) 19: 342-344 * Gray, J.E. 1864 Observations on the box tortoises, with the description of three new Asiatic species. ''Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist.'' (3) 13: 105-111 * Gray, J.E. 1873 On the original form, development, and cohesion of the bones of the sternum of chelonians; with notes on the skeleton of Sphargis. ''Ann. Mag. nat. Hist.'' (4) 11: 161-172

External links

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Asian Leaf Turtles
{{Taxonbar, from=Q1965745 Reptiles of India Reptiles of the Philippines Turtles of Asia Cyclemys Reptiles described in 1831