Name

Box Turtle

Scientific Name

Cuora amboinensis

Characteristics

The southeast Asian box turtle or amboina box turtle is a species of Asian box turtle.

This turtle inhabits a semi-aquatic environment and can be found in, or near to, a water source such a river or a pond. Due to their tropical habitat, these turtles never hibernate and are active all year long.

The southeast Asian box turtle has a hinged plastron (lower shell) which enables it to box itself off completely inside its shell. As well as being excellent swimmers, they are also fast when moving on land. 

Diet

They have a broad diet that includes vegetation, invertebrates, molluscs and crustaceans.

Fun Fact

They are found in lowland tropical rainforest areas of Southeast Asia.