Native to Southeast Asia, this turtle inhabits the slow-moving rivers, swamps, and marshes of Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and parts of Malaysia and Myanmar, where it glides quietly through shaded waters beneath the forest canopy. Its impressive size, gentle nature, and ancient lineage make it both a fascinating survivor and a symbol of the rich biodiversity of tropical wetlands.

The giant Asian pond turtle is so distinctive for its massive, high-domed shell—a rugged carapace that offers excellent protection from predators. The shell is usually dark brown to black, often with subtle radiating patterns, while the plastron (the underside) is yellowish with dark markings. Its thick, muscular limbs are tipped with strong claws for digging and climbing over submerged roots. The head is broad, with a blunt snout and yellowish markings on the neck and face that give each individual a slightly different “personality.” Despite its formidable appearance, this turtle is surprisingly calm and slow-moving, spending much of its time resting in the shallows or basking near the water’s edge.

The giant Asian pond turtle is a semi-aquatic omnivore, feeding on a variety of plants, fruits, aquatic vegetation, mollusks, and small invertebrates. It’s particularly fond of fallen fruits from riverside trees, playing an important role in seed dispersal and wetland regeneration. This makes it a quiet but crucial gardener of its ecosystem. It also eats carrion and small animals when available, demonstrating its flexibility and adaptability to changing food sources. Its slow metabolism allows it to thrive in environments where food can be seasonal, and it often retreats into mud or leaf litter during the dry season to conserve energy.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Cambodia

2018

Laos

2018

Malaysia

2018

Myanmar

2018

Thailand

2018

Vietnam

2018