Burmese eyed turtle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Burmese eyed turtle |
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|---|---|
| Lithograph from 1878 | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Morenia
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| Species: |
ocellata
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The Burmese eyed turtle (Morenia ocellata) is also known by other names like the Bengal eyed terrapin or Burmese peacock turtle. Sometimes, people even call it the swamp turtle. This fascinating creature is a type of turtle that belongs to the Geoemydidae family, and it lives in southern Asia.
Where Do Burmese Eyed Turtles Live?
These turtles are found only in certain places. They are endemic to Burma, which means they naturally live there and nowhere else in the world. There's also a chance they might live in Yunnan, China, but their main home is Burma.
Why Are Burmese Eyed Turtles Endangered?
Sadly, the number of Burmese eyed turtles in the wild is going down. This is a big problem because it means they are becoming endangered. One of the main reasons for their decline is that too many of them have been collected.
For example, between 1996 and 1997, a huge number of these turtles were collected, sometimes as much as 10 tons per day during their peak season. But then, by 1998, they almost completely disappeared from places where they were once common. This rapid decrease shows how quickly their population can shrink when they are over-collected. It's important to protect them so they don't vanish forever.
