Turtles are among the most common pets in pet markets, numerous and diverse, and are well cared for after being purchased and brought home. However, wild turtle populations are not so fortunate; they face the threat of extinction due to the continuous encroachment of human resources on natural resources. Below, I will introduce ten endangered turtle species in China. These turtles are currently facing a severe survival situation and require protective measures to save them. We should strengthen the protection of wild turtle habitats, prohibit illegal fishing and trade, and raise public awareness of turtle conservation.
1. Hawksbill turtle
Hawksbill turtles are relatively large sea turtles that primarily inhabit the tropical and subtropical waters of southeastern my country. They typically live on coastal coral reefs, bays, estuaries, and clear lagoons. Hawksbill turtles have exceptionally hard shells, making them difficult for most animals to bite through. They have relatively few natural predators, but sharks and saltwater crocodiles are among their threats. Octopuses and certain surface-dwelling fish also prey on adult hawksbill turtles. Hawksbill turtles frequently feed on sponges, giving them a distinctive, unpleasant sponge odor. Their diet consists of poisonous sponges and cnidarians, and their flesh is highly toxic, sometimes deterring predators or even humans. Hawksbill turtles are quite aggressive and may bite when captured by humans; however, they will not attack humans unless provoked.
Once thriving in vast marine areas, hawksbill turtles have become an endangered species due to overfishing and are now almost extinct in China's coastal waters. Hawksbill turtles are listed as a Class II National Key Protected Wild Animal in China and are protected under the Wildlife Protection Law of the People's Republic of China.
2. Mountain soft-shelled turtle
The Chinese softshell turtle, also known as the mountain turtle, is round in appearance, similar to the Chinese softshell turtle, but it is much thicker and larger, with numerous warts on the sides of its head. The wild population of Chinese softshell turtles is declining year by year, and they have become a critically endangered species. The main reasons are overfishing and water pollution. In the past, high-end restaurants and eateries primarily focused on demand from turtles like the Chinese softshell turtle, leading to a huge demand.
In Guangdong and Guangxi provinces, the Chinese softshell turtle is considered an economic resource. Besides meeting domestic market demand, large quantities are exported to Hong Kong annually, measured in tons. This situation has led to a sharp decline in the Chinese softshell turtle population, which is characterized by slow growth and low reproductive capacity, thus resulting in its listing as a Class II protected animal in China.
3. Four-clawed tortoise
The four-clawed tortoise, also known as the steppe tortoise, is mainly distributed in Huocheng County, Xinjiang, China, in the desert area at the foot of the Aklas Mountains, a branch of the Tianshan Mountains. This tortoise typically hides in burrows, venturing out during the day and feeding on fruits, vegetables, lizards, beetles, and other agile animals. The four-clawed tortoise is listed as a Class I protected animal in China.
According to statistics from the Xinjiang Four-clawed Tortoise Nature Reserve in 2000, there were fewer than 2,000 tortoises remaining in China, of which about 295 lived in the wild and about 1,500 were kept in captivity. However, the tortoise population continues to decline.
4. 鼋(yuán)
The softshell turtle, belonging to the family Testudinidae, is characterized by its enormous size, weighing up to 100 kilograms, making it one of the world's largest freshwater turtles. They primarily inhabit rivers and lakes, are adept at navigating mud and sand, and feed on aquatic animals. Softshell turtles were once widely distributed in Yunnan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Fujian, Hainan, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu provinces of China. Considered an auspicious animal, they were frequently seen in the release ponds of ancient temples.
However, since the 1970s, the population of softshell turtles has declined sharply. Only a few individuals have been found in a few areas such as the Oujiang River in Zhejiang, the Suijiang River in Guangdong, and the Lancang River in Yunnan. Softshell turtles have essentially disappeared from other areas. It is estimated that the total number of softshell turtles in China is less than 200, therefore it is listed as a globally endangered species (CITES Appendix II) and a Class I protected wild animal in China.
5. Maple Leaf Turtle
The maple leaf turtle, scientifically known as *Pterocarpus stenoptera*, is also called the black-breasted leaf turtle, twelve-ridged turtle, and golden turtle. It is a small, semi-aquatic turtle. Its carapace has strongly serrated edges. The maple leaf turtle was once distributed in the mountainous forests of Hunan, Guangdong, and Guangxi provinces of China, feeding on insects, plant leaves, and fruits.
However, due to habitat destruction, the number of wild Chinese leaf turtles in China has become extremely small. Therefore, the Chinese leaf turtle is listed as a Class II protected wild animal in China and requires special attention and protection.
6. Three-lined Box Turtle
The Golden Coin Turtle, also known as the Three-lined Box Turtle, Golden-headed Turtle, Red-edged Turtle, Red-bellied Turtle, and Broken-plate Turtle, is mainly distributed in Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan provinces of China, inhabiting mountainous stream areas. The Golden Coin Turtle has unique economic value, with large sales volumes in the domestic market and significant exports to Hong Kong and other places, measured in tons. However, due to large-scale hunting, the population of Golden Coin Turtles has been declining year by year, and prices have been rising continuously. If wild Golden Coin Turtles do not receive timely protection, they face the danger of extinction. Therefore, the Golden Coin Turtle has been listed as a Class II National Key Protected Wild Animal in China.
7. Yunnan Box Turtle
The Yunnan box turtle typically has a shell length of about 140 mm and is very similar in appearance to the three-lined box turtle. They inhabit the high-altitude mountains of Yunnan Province, at elevations of 2000 to 2260 meters, feeding on small fish, shrimp, and earthworms. However, due to human greed and expansion, the wild Yunnan box turtle's habitat has been severely threatened, and its population is nearly extinct. Currently, only six numbered holographic specimens are known to be preserved in the British Museum and the Shanghai Natural History Museum.
8. Concave-shelled tortoise
The Elaphe carapace (also known as the concave-shelled tortoise) is mainly distributed in the mountainous regions of Hainan, Yunnan, Hunan, and Guangxi provinces in China. Unlike other tortoise species, the Elaphe carapace exhibits unique characteristics. While other tortoises have an arched shape, each scute of the Elaphe carapace is relatively independent, flat, and even concave inwards, possessing a remarkable luster.
However, due to the destruction of highland forests and indiscriminate hunting by humans, the population of the Eurasian tortoise has become extremely small in the wild. To save this species, the Eurasian tortoise has been listed as a Class II protected wild animal in China.
9. Loggerhead turtle
Loggerhead turtles generally refer to the red sea turtle. They are relatively large, with flattened bodies, and typically weigh around 100 kilograms. They are mainly distributed in the provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi, Taiwan, Fujian, and Zhejiang in China, inhabiting bays, estuaries, and saltwater lakes. According to statistics, records of loggerhead turtles in China are mainly concentrated in Fujian, with more than half of the records coming from the coastal areas of Pingtan Island in Fujian.
Loggerhead turtles are considered to have significant medicinal value, leading to predatory fishing and indiscriminate killing, as well as the threat of egg-digging. They once roamed Hainan Island in large numbers, but due to human fishing and egg theft, they disappeared from the island over 20 years ago. Currently, loggerhead turtles are listed as a Class II protected wild animal in China in an effort to protect their survival.
10. Green sea turtle
Green sea turtles are the largest of the hard-shelled sea turtles, named for the green fat covering their bodies. They are large and spend their entire lives in water, primarily feeding on seaweed. In China, green sea turtles are distributed along the coasts of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Taiwan, and Guangdong provinces, but their nesting sites are mainly located along the coasts and islands of western Fujian and eastern Guangdong.
However, frequent fishing activities, habitat destruction, and marine pollution have severely impacted the survival rate of green sea turtle populations. If this dire situation cannot be fundamentally improved, green sea turtles will face the threat of extinction.
The list of China's top ten endangered turtle species is primarily based on the list of reptiles in the order Testudines and Tortoises in China's List of Endangered and Rare Animals. If you have any questions, please feel free to comment or offer corrections at the end.
