Mauremys reevesii Chinese Pond Turtle Sleeping

This is a juvenile 10cm Chinese pond turtle (Mauremys reevesii) sleeping in his terrarium, with nictitating membrane covering his eyes. This species is semiaquatic in the wild, found in marshes, ponds, streams and similar bodies of shallow water. It is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, threatened by several causes, including competition from introduced species, loss of habitat, and use in Chinese medicine. This species is also popular in the global pet trade. This individual was found on a road in Japan, far from water, when it was only 2.8cm, perhaps picked up and transported by a crow shortly after birth. Though the species had earlier been considered native to Japan, genetic testing in recent years suggests multiple introductions from outside Japan.

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Filename: mauremys-reevesii-chinese-pond-turtle-sleeping-oogway-2020-TWU7731.tif
Copyright: Copyright Tony Wu. All rights reserved. No duplication, reproduction or usage without prior written permission.
Image Size: 8256x5504 / 131.0MB; https://www.photoshelter.com/support/license#rm; https://www.tony-wu.com/contact-tony-wu; Reptile Turtle Animalia Chordata Reptilia Testudines Geoemydidae Mauremys reevesii Chinese Three-keeled Pond Turtle Chinese Pond Turtle Reeves' Turtle CITES Appendix 3 Endangered: IUCN Red List Pacific Japan
Contained in galleries: Japan

This is a juvenile 10cm Chinese pond turtle (Mauremys reevesii) sleeping in his terrarium, with nictitating membrane covering his eyes. This species is semiaquatic in the wild, found in marshes, ponds, streams and similar bodies of shallow water. It is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, threatened by several causes, including competition from introduced species, loss of habitat, and use in Chinese medicine. This species is also popular in the global pet trade. This individual was found on a road in Japan, far from water, when it was only 2.8cm, perhaps picked up and transported by a crow shortly after birth. Though the species had earlier been considered native to Japan, genetic testing in recent years suggests multiple introductions from outside Japan.