Mauremys mutica

Common Name: Asian Yellow Pond Turtle

Described by: Cantor, 1842

Conservation Status: Endangered: IUCN Red List 2006

CITES: Appendix II


Range of Mauremys mutica.
(John B. Iverson)

Range: Mauremys mutica is found in China, Japan, and Viet Nam. In China, this species is widespread in the center and the south, including Yunnan, Hubei, Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hunan, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan provinces (Lau and Shi, 2000, van Dijk, 2002). In Vietnam, the yellow pond turtle is found in marshes, ponds, and slow moving streams in the lowland regions of the north and north-central region (Hendrie, 2000).

Habitat: Aquatic. Small bodies of freshwater

Key Threats: Hunting and trade. Loss of habitat due to water pollution, increased use of fertilizers and pesticides and the agricultural conversion of wetlands and marshes. (Lau and Shi, 2000; Hendrie, 2000)

Description:

Diet:The yellow pond turtle is omnivorous and known to feed on various plant and animal materials including roots, shoots of plants, aquatic invertebrates such as insects, sewage worms, and leeches (Chen et al., 2000).

Distinguishing Features: Broad yellow line extends backward from behind the eye and over the ear. Head gray or brown, chin and lower neck yellow. Plastron yellow with large black spot on each scute. In some populations, the plastron is mostly or entirely black. (Stuart et al., 2001)

Size: Carapace to 19cm

Male/Female: Males have a slightly concaved plastron. Females have flattened plastrons. Males have longer, thicker tails.


Carapace

Mauremys mutica hatchling.

Plastron

Mauremys mutica.

This field guide was last updated in August 2006.
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