A beautifully patterned and highly endangered turtle native to parts of Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Laos, and southern China. It belongs to a group of turtles known for their unique ability to completely close up their shells like a box — a clever defense mechanism that protects them from predators. The Indochinese box turtle has a striking appearance, with a domed, dark brown or black shell often decorated with yellow or orange streaks and a boldly colored head that can range from yellowish to reddish. Its hinged plastron (the underside of the shell) allows it to tuck its head and limbs inside and snap the shell shut like a built-in fortress.

This turtle lives in moist, forested habitats and is usually found near streams, swamps, or leaf-littered forest floors. It’s mostly terrestrial but can swim when needed. The Indochinese box turtle is a slow-moving, shy creature, mostly active during rainy or cooler parts of the day. Its diet includes a mix of plants, fruits, fungi, and small invertebrates, making it an omnivore. Like many turtles, it plays an important role in the ecosystem by helping to control insect populations and spreading seeds through its droppings.

Sadly, the Indochinese box turtle is considered critically endangered due to habitat destruction, hunting, and the illegal pet and traditional medicine trade. Its beautiful shell and calm nature have made it a target for collectors, while in some areas, it is captured for use in local medicinal practices or as food. As a result, wild populations have declined dramatically in recent decades, and it is now rarely seen in its natural habitat.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

China

2018

Hainan, Guangxi

Laos

2018

Vietnam

2018