Japanese pointed ground turtle
| Japanese pointed ground turtle | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Japanese pointed earth turtle ( Geoemyda japonica ) |
||||||||||||
| Systematics | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Geoemyda japonica | ||||||||||||
| Fan , 1931 |
The Japanese pointed earth turtle ( Geoemyda japonica ) belongs to the group of pointed earth turtles ( Geoemyda ).
features
The head and neck of this turtle are colored a strong dark blue and streaked with red. This coloring becomes more intense with age. The plastron (belly armor) and the extremities of most Japanese pointed turtles are also dark blue. The carapace (armor on the back) can be colored in different shades of brown or yellow. The rear edge of the carapace is jagged, which gives the Japanese pointed turtle its name. Due to its color and the prongs, this turtle resembles a leaf and is therefore very well camouflaged in its environment.
habitat
The Japanese pointed turtle occurs on the Ryūkyū Islands and is known there under the name Ryūkyū-yamagame ( Japanese琉球 山 亀). It only lives endemically on the three islands of Okinawa , Tokashikijima and Kumejima. The populations of these terrestrial turtles are found in the forest areas of these islands. The islands have a tropical rainy climate with no cool season.
food
The Japanese pointed turtle feeds on insects, worms and snails, among other things. Vegetable food is also part of the diet.
Conservation and endangerment
This species is endangered by increasing habitat destruction (agricultural use, forest felling). The keeping and trade of turtles in Japan are heavily regulated. Furthermore, these animals have been declared a "National Natural Monument", protective measures are now being taken to preserve the natural biotopes of these turtles.
literature
- Ingo Schaefer: Pointed Terrapins. Natur und Tier-Verlag, Münster 2005, ISBN 3-937285-50-4 .
Web links
- Geoemyda japonica in The Reptile Database
- Geoemyda japonica inthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013.2. Posted by: Asian Turtle Trade Working Group, 2000. Retrieved February 1, 2014.