Arakan forest turtle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Arakan forest turtle |
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| Arakan forest turtle in Atlanta Zoo | |
| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Heosemys
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| Species: |
depressa
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The Arakan forest turtle (its scientific name is Heosemys depressa) is a very rare turtle. It lives in the forests of western Myanmar and parts of Bangladesh. These turtles are special because they can live both in water and on land. But when they grow up, they usually prefer to stay on land. Sadly, this turtle is critically endangered, which means it's at a very high risk of disappearing forever.
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What is the Arakan Forest Turtle?
The Arakan forest turtle got its scientific name, Geoëmyda depressa, in 1875. A scientist named Anderson gave it this name after studying a turtle found in Arakan. Scientific names help scientists around the world know exactly which animal they are talking about.
How Big Are These Turtles?
The Arakan forest turtle is a medium-sized turtle. Its shell can grow up to about 22 centimeters (around 8.7 inches) long. An adult turtle usually weighs about 1.3 kilograms (around 2.9 pounds).
Where Do Arakan Forest Turtles Live?
Arakan forest turtles live in the wild in specific areas. In 2009, scientists found them in the Rakhine Yoma Elephant Range in Myanmar. This area is a great place for them to live because it's hard to reach. This means there aren't many people living there.
Even though some local people might hunt these turtles for food sometimes, it's not a big problem. There isn't a large demand for them. Also, the area is safe from big companies trying to take its natural resources.
In 2015, another possible group of these turtles was found. This happened during a project in the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh. This discovery gives hope that more of these rare turtles exist.
What Do Arakan Forest Turtles Do?
Arakan forest turtles are mostly active at night. They become even more active when the rainy season starts. Local hunters have found eggs inside female turtles in June and July. This helps scientists understand when these turtles lay their eggs.
Most of the time, these turtles like to stay hidden. They often hide themselves in leaves and other plant bits on the forest floor. They eat both plants and animals, which makes them omnivores. While they are usually quiet, they can become quite aggressive when they are eating insects, worms, or fish. They also enjoy eating fruit that falls from trees.
Why Are Arakan Forest Turtles Endangered?
One of the main reasons Arakan forest turtles are endangered is because they are caught and sold. Animal dealers, especially in China, buy these turtles. They catch them in western Myanmar. For example, in 2003, some researchers studied nine of these turtles. These turtles had been brought to the Czech Republic for private collections. This kind of trade makes it harder for the species to survive in the wild.
How Are We Helping Them?
Protecting Them in Zoos
Efforts are being made to protect the Arakan forest turtle. As of 2009, only a few of these turtles were living in zoos. The Zoo Atlanta has been very successful in helping these turtles. They are one of the only zoos that have managed to breed Arakan forest turtles. Breeding them in zoos is important. It helps make sure that this rare species doesn't disappear completely.
