big-headed turtle
platysternon megacephalu latin

The big-headed turtle cannot pull its head in its shell.

Big-headed turtles and hairy frogs are masters of waterfall living.

The big-headed turtle is readily consumed in Asia and is frequently a market item.

The entirely unrelated big-headed turtle (Platysternon megacephalum) was previously included in classification.

The big-headed turtle (Platysternon megacephalum) is a species of turtle in the family Platysternidae.

Family Platysternidae (big-headed turtle)

Big-headed turtle (Platysternidae)

The enigmatic big-headed turtle (Platysternon megacephalum) was for some time considered a specialized but still very primitive early offshoot of the Emydidae.

The Madagascan big-headed turtle (Erymnochelys madagascariensis) is a turtle native to the waters of permanent slow moving rivers and lakes in western Madagascar.

The Madagascar big-headed turtle, spider tortoise, flat-backed spider tortoise, radiated tortoise and ploughshare tortoise are endangered species.

Wild animals found are common wild pig, barking deer, Siamese big-headed turtle, serow, civet, Black-crested Bulbul, flying lizard, etc..

The Madagascan big-headed turtle is one of the most endangered turtles in the world, and is also included in the Turtle Conservation Funds (TFC) top 25 endangered.

Other fauna include, Oriental Small-clawed Otter A. cinerea, Tiger P. tigris, Big-headed Turtle Platysternon megacephalum, and herds of Asian Elephant Elephas maximus.

The big-headed turtle is known to readily climb over obstacles in and around rivers and fast streams, using its tail as a prop to extend the reach of its strong claws; it also uses its beak to assist in climbing.

In the Menabe region of Madagascar, a biodiversity hotspot of great importance, the Trust is working with a cluster of endangered species, including the Malagasy Giant Rat, Flat-tailed Tortoise, Madagascar Big-headed Turtle, Narrow-striped Mongoose and Madagascar Teal.