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Dogania subplana (Geoffroy, 1809)
| Family Name: | Trionychidae |
| Taxonomic Group: | Vertebrates (Reptile) |
| Common Name: | Forest Soft-shell Turtle, Malayan Forest Softshell Turtle |
Name
Description
| Description | Carapace oval-shaped, smooth and leathery without scutes, yellowish-brown with black mid-dorsal stripe and often with two black ocelli on either side of the stripe. Underside white. Snout proboscis-like, neck long and reddish, feet clawed and fully webbed. |
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Ecology, Habitat & Location
| Ecological Notes | In Singapore, this aquatic turtle inhabits shaded streams with fast-flowing water and a soft sand substrate, in mature forest. It is nocturnal and spends trhe day buried in the substrate and ambushes passing fish, frogs and insects. It also feeds on aquatic snails. |
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| Habitats | Forest, Freshwater |
| Distribution | In Singapore, known only from the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. It occurs in Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo and Java. |
| Nature Reserves | Central Catchment Nature Reserve |
Conservation
| Trends & Threats | Mainly habitat degradation and probably illegal collecting for food or to supply the pet trade. Possible niche competition from teh introduced Chinese Soft-shell Turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis). |
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| Scientific Interest & Potential Value | This species is sometimes seen in the pet trade or sold as food. |
| Conservation Notes | Habitat protection, strict policing against illegal collecting. |
Status
| Species Status | Native |
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| Conservation Status | Rare |
| Singapore Red Data Book Status | Critically Endangered (CR) [2008] |
Photos
References
| References | Baker, N. & Lim, K. 2008. Wild animals of Singapore. Singapore: Draco Publishing and Distribution Pte Ltd. 180pp Davison, G.W.H., Ng, P.K.L. & Ho, H.C (Eds.). 2008. The Singapore Red Data Book (2nd Edition). Singapore: Nature Society (Singapore). 285pp |
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