One of the rarest and most unique turtles in the world, found only in the Philippines, specifically on the island of Palawan. This elusive turtle has earned much attention from conservationists and wildlife lovers due to its mysterious history and critically endangered status. For years, scientists weren’t even sure if it still existed in the wild—it was originally described from a museum specimen and thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in the early 2000s. Unlike many turtles found across wide regions, the Philippine forest turtle has an extremely limited range, making it a true island gem.

One of the Philippine forest turtle’s most distinct features is its broad, heart-shaped shell and slightly flattened body, which helps it navigate shallow streams and forest floors. Its dark brown or black carapace is usually smooth with a slight keel (ridge) down the center, and its plastron (the bottom part of the shell) has a unique yellowish or cream color with dark blotches, giving it a striking contrast.

Unlike many aquatic turtles that spend most of their time swimming, the Philippine forest turtle is more semi-terrestrial, which splits its time between land and shallow freshwater habitats like streams, ponds, and swampy forest areas. It is generally shy and reclusive, hiding under leaves, rocks, or in burrows during the day. Little is known about its behavior in the wild due to its rarity and secretive nature. Still, it is believed to be mostly active at night or during cooler parts of the day, likely to avoid predators and human disturbance.

Here’s a cool and heartbreaking fact: after its rediscovery, the Philippine forest turtle was targeted heavily by the illegal pet trade, and in 2015, thousands were confiscated in a single wildlife raid. This event shocked the conservation world and underscored just how vulnerable the species was.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Philippines

2,500-3,000

Official estimate

CR

2018