Black Marsh Turtle Natural History
Size
The Black Marsh Turtle is a small to medium sized turtle which tends to grow to around 20cm (7.9 in) in length.
Habitat and Distribution
This reptile is endemic to Southeast Asia in countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia, southern Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand as well as the Indonesian islands of Sumatra, Java and Kalimantan. They prefer slow-moving, warm water with plenty of vegetation. They’re mostly aquatic and will bury themselves in the mud when not feeding.
Age
The Black Marsh Turtle has a captive lifespan of up to 60 years.
Diet
Adults feed on a range of invertebrates including crustaceans, snails and worms as well as small fish, amphibians and carcasses. They will also eat plants and fruits that fall into the water. While juveniles tend to be more carnivorous than adults.
Groups and Breeding
Nesting season for these animals occurs between April and June. Males will head bob and bite the legs of females before mating takes place. Females then lay 3-4 clutches of eggs which incubate for between 68-84 days. Hatchlings are around 5cm.
They are sexually dimorphic; males have a concave plastra (shell on the underside of the turtle) compared to a flat plastron of females. Females also retain markings around their eyes and throat which are present in all juveniles. Males also have thicker, longer tails than females.
Threats
The Black Marsh Turtle is listed on the IUCN Red List as Endangered. Despite being considered a sacred animal in Buddhist temples these turtles are facing huge threats from traditional Chinese medicine and habitat loss and face exploitation for the food market and the international wildlife trade despite the sanctions in place which are aimed at protecting these animals.
Interesting Facts
Unlike with many other turtle species their sex is not determined by temperature during the egg incubation phase. Instead it is determined by XX/XY chromosomes.
These Turtles are known by several different names including the Smiling Terrapin and Siamese Temple Turtle (due to their ties to Buddhist temples).
The Black Marsh Turtles During Your Day Out in Kent
Our Black Marsh Turtles can be found in the Reptile House and joined the park as new species when our new Reptile House opened in spring 2023.