Chinese Pond Turtle (Mauremys reevesii)

OTHER NAMES: Reeves' Turtle, Japanese Coin Turtle, Golden Turtle

Latin Etymology: Mauremys (?) reevesii ("Reeves'")

Adult Chinese Pond Turtle (Mauremys reevesii, subspecies unknwon) at Maruyama, Kyoto, Japan, Malaysia - July 2013

Featured Subspecies: Unknown
Weight: 200-500g  /  Length: 12-30cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Endangered

This turtle species was seen in various bodies of water in Kyoto, where it seemed little bothered by human passers by.  Despite this it is considered endangered on a global level due to the fact that it is over hunted in China for food and pets.  In Japan it is an invasive species with a population derived from former pets, and is found in many locations.  Given it is apparently infamous for it's ability to reproduce with turtle species that are only distantly related it is a threat to local species.  Though it is rated as endangered overall, this is largely as a result of the Chinese population being under threat due to it being eaten - populations elsewhere are considered stable.

Related Species:
Order: Chelonii
Family: Geoemydidae
Genus: Mauremys
SUBSPECIES: M. r. reevesii, M. r. megalocephala

- Sighting Locations -

JAPAN -  Japanese - クサガメ  /  Kusagame  ("Grasses Turtle")

A fairly common feral species.

 - KYOTO/OSAKA 2013 TRIP: Several in Kyoto in Maruyama.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto