Vietnamese Pond Turtle Natural History
Size
The Vietnamese Pond Turtle’s shell can grow to between 16-28cm long, and individuals can weigh between 0.7- 2.1kg. Females are larger and heavier than males.
Habitat and Distribution
The Vietnamese Pond Turtle can be found in freshwater wetlands including marshes, streams, lakes and ponds in central Vietnam.
Age
The lifespan of a Vietnamese Pond Turtle in the wild is around 15 years but in captivity they can live for up to 45 years old.
Diet
Vietnamese Pond Turtles are typically omnivores and eat fish and vegetation.
Groups and Breeding
Just like with all turtles, the offspring’s sex is temperature dependent. Eggs at the bottom of the nest are colder and will be born male whereas, eggs near the top of the nest are warmer and will be female when they hatch. The gestation period for a Vietnamese Pond Turtle ranges between 80-131 days depending on the environmental temperature. They will lay 4-7 eggs but they can have 1-4 clutches per year.
Threats
The Vietnamese Pond Turtle is often hunted for its meat for food or traditional medicine. They are also hunted for the exotic pet trade and are threatened by pollution and habitat loss. The IUCN Red List classes this species as Critically Endangered.
Interesting facts
The Vietnamese Pond Turtle is also known as the Annam Leaf Turtle. As with all turtle species, a group of turtles is called a ‘bale’.
The Vietnamese Pond Turtles During Your Day Out in Kent
The four female Vietnamese Pond Turtles here at Wingham Wildlife Park can be found in our new Reptile House in the same enclosure as the Green Iguanas, next to the Burmese Python and opposite the Alligator Snapping Turtles.