| Malaysian giant turtle | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Testudines |
| Suborder: | Cryptodira |
| Family: | Geoemydidae |
| Genus: | Orlitia Gray, 1873 |
| Species: | O. borneensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Orlitia borneensis Gray, 1873 | |
| Synonyms[3] | |
| |
TheMalaysian giant turtle orBornean river turtle (Orlitia borneensis) is a species ofturtle in the familyBataguridae. It ismonotypic within thegenusOrlitia.[3] It is found inIndonesia andMalaysia.[1]
This species is the largest freshwater turtle inSoutheast Asia, reaching a maximum length of 80 cm (31 inches) and a maximum weight of up to 50 kg (110 pounds). It inhabits largelakes,swamps, and slow-flowingrivers. This mainlypiscivorous (fish-eating) species has a dark brown or blackcarapace which is smooth and oval in shape and a pale yellowish-brown to off-whiteplastron. The head is powerful, with strong jaws and a slightly projecting snout, and the heads of adults are uniformly colored dark brown to black whereas juveniles are dark mottled with a pale line extending from the mouth to the back of the head.[4] It occasionally takes fallenfruit and may consume and other availablevertebrate. This species is exported in huge amounts fromIndonesia for its highly prized flesh and despite its rarity it is not protected inMalaysia.[5]Habitat destruction forpalm oil plantations andpoaching for theChinese medicinal trade have also contributed to itsCritically Endangered IUCN status.[4]