Vietnamese Big-headed Turtle

Facts about Vietnamese Big-headed Turtles. "Scientific name for Vietnamese Big-headed Turtle is Platysternon megacephalum shiui". Vietnamese Big-headed Turtle is a Platysternon type of turtle that comes from the Platysternidae family. The Vietnamese Big-headed Turtles are native to the southeast parts of Asia and the southern parts of China. The Vietnamese Big-headed Turtle are largely found in China, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar and Vietnam. This animal attains its name due to its big-size head. The Vietnamese Big-headed Turtles also live in the rock-strewn mountain brooks and streams of the northern parts of Vietnam, where it hides itself during the daytime in the middle of partly flooded stones.

Features of Vietnamese Big-headed Turtle

The Vietnamese Big-headed Turtle has a large size head that has a breadth about half of its shell’s breadth. The Vietnamese Big-headed Turtle head is so big to be dragged in for defense. As an alternative, the skull of this turtle has a skeletal crown, which extends along the sides of its face to offer the necessary protection to the animal.

The most unique feature of the Vietnamese Big-headed Turtle is its huge, triangular-shaped head, which is so big when compared to the size of its body that it cannot be pulled into its shell for safety. The upper jaw of the Vietnamese Big-headed Turtle is curved and the borders of both upper and lower jaws are lined with an additional hard horny jacket, leaving only a fine band of defenseless skin on its cheeks that are running from the eyes of the turtle to the bends of its mouth.

In conjunction with a giant head, this odd-shaped Vietnamese Big-headed Turtle can be identified through its remarkably elongated, slim tail and chiefly compressed shell, which is rather rectangular, being squared-off at the facade and more circular at its back. As the color of the upper shell of the Vietnamese Big-headed Turtle ranges from yellow to dark tan, rarely by means of a darker shining pattern, the lower shell of this turtle is typically yellow in color, even though this differs according to the subspecies. The legs of the Vietnamese Big-headed Turtle are sheltered in huge scales, as is the elongated, slim, brawny tail, which is habitually employed to support the weight like an extra limb of the turtle.

Diet of Vietnamese Big-headed Turtle

The Vietnamese Big-headed Turtle is virtually totally carnivorous, by means of its sturdy, bony jaws enabling the turtle to feed on mollusks, fish, crustaceans and worms that they mostly consume.

Behavior of Vietnamese Big-headed Turtle

The Vietnamese Big-headed Turtle is recognized for its eagerly climbing skill over barriers in and around fast streams and rivers by making use of its tail as a support to expand the access of its sturdy claws. The Vietnamese Big-headed Turtle also employs its beak to get the required support during climbing. The Vietnamese Big-headed Turtles are capable of climbing bushes and trees, as well. Though this turtle is not a good swimmer, and during an occasional swimming, they occasionally curves their tail in the way of a scorpion. The Vietnamese Big-headed Turtle is incapable of pulling its head in its crust. If a situation happens to protect them, the Vietnamese Big-headed Turtles will not hesitate to employ their strong jaws to get them protected. If the Vietnamese Big-headed Turtle is aggravated, it will bite and keep its grip for a longer period. The use of sturdy, curved jaws of this turtle can produce extremely grave injuries. This turtle is a nonviolent breed toward other varieties of turtles restrained with it.

The average lifespan of the Vietnamese Big-headed Turtle is 15 years.