What makes it stand out right away is its soft, leathery shell, unlike the hard, bumpy shells we usually see on other turtles. This shell is smooth and flat, almost like a big shield made of soft skin stretched over bone. It helps the turtle move quietly and quickly through the water because it reduces resistance, making it a great swimmer. Interestingly, this turtle can grow really big—some can reach up to two feet long, which is much larger than many other turtles you might know. Despite its size, it can hide very well by burying itself in sand or mud at the bottom of the water, waiting patiently for its next meal.

One of the coolest features of the Asian giant softshell turtle is its long, snorkel-like nose. This special nose sticks out from the water when the turtle is mostly submerged, allowing it to breathe without showing much of its body. It’s like having a built-in snorkel! This helps the turtle stay hidden from predators and prey alike. The turtle’s eyes are placed on top of its head, which lets it watch the world above while staying mostly underwater. Because it spends so much time buried in mud, this design is perfect for sensing movement and hunting fish or small animals nearby. The turtle is also known for its strong jaws, which it uses to crush crabs, snails, and even small turtles, showing it’s quite the hunter in its watery home.

Another interesting thing about this turtle is its incredible lifespan. In the wild, it can live for many decades, sometimes over 50 years. This long life means it has plenty of time to grow and explore its environment. However, it is also quite rare and faces many dangers today.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Bangladesh

2018

Brunei

2018

Possibly Extant

Cambodia

2018

China

2018

India

2018

Indonesia

2018

Kalimantan, Sumatera

Laos

2018

Malaysia

2018

Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak

Myanmar

2018

Philippines

2018

Singapore

Official estimate

EX

Extinct locally

Thailand

2018

Vietnam

2018