Chinese softshell turtle

Species of turtle

Speciesbox
| name = Chinese softshell turtle
| image = Pelodiscus. jpg
| status = VU
| status system = IUCN3.1
| status ref =
| status2 = CITES A2
| status2 system = CITES
| status2 ref =
| genus = Pelodiscus
| species = sinensis
| authority = (Wiegmann, 1835)

Populations native to Northeast China, Russia, Korea and Japan were formerly included in this species, but are now regarded as separate as the northern Chinese softshell turtle (P. maackii). Furthermore, localized populations in Guangxi and Hunan (where the Chinese softshell turtle also is present), as well as Vietnam, are recognized as the lesser Chinese softshell turtle (P. parviformis) and Hunan softshell turtle (P. axenaria). The Chinese softshell turtle is a vulnerable species,

Females of the Chinese softshell turtle can reach up to 33 cm in carapace length, while the smaller males reach 27 cm, with longer tails than the females. Maturity is reached at a carapace length of 18 19 cm. The carapace of these turtles is olive in color and may have dark blotches. The plastron is orange red, and may also have large dark blotches. The limbs and head are olive dorsally with the forelimbs lighter and the hind limbs orange red ventrally. There are dark flecks on the head and dark lines that radiate from the eyes. The throat is mottled and there may be small, dark bars on the lips. A pair of dark blotches is found in front of the tail as well as a black band on the posterior side of each thigh. and subsequent spread by migrating people. Outside their native China, escapees have been recorded in a wide range of countries and some of these have becomes established as introduced populations. Among the non native locations in Asia are the Bonin Islands, Honshu, Kyushu, Ryukyu Archipelago and Shikoku in Japan; South Korea; Laos; Vietnam; Thailand; Singapore; Bohol, Cebu, Leyte, Luzon, Mindanao, Mindoro and Panay in the Philippines; East and Peninsular Malaysia; Kalimantan, Sumatra and West Timor in Indonesia; East Timor; and Iran.

Chinese softshell turtles live in fresh and brackish water. When resting, they lie at the bottom, buried in sand or mud, lifting their head to breathe or snatch at prey. Their basking habit is not well developed. When provoked, certain populations of these turtles are capable of excreting a foul smelling fluid from pores on the anterior edge of their shells.

These turtles reach sexual maturity sometime between 4 and 6 years of age. They mate at the surface or under water. A male will hold the female's carapace with its forelimbs and may bite at her head, neck, and limbs. Females may retain sperm for almost a year after copulation. In 2012 Chinese soft shell turtles were the first turtle species to undergo a large scale outbreak of bacterial softshell disease, resulting in slower growth and increased fatality. This lead not only to a decline in P. sinensis, but caused severe economic losses to the turtle culture industry. Other bacterial pathogens identified have been Chryseobacterium spp., Morganella morganii and Bacillus cereus spp

Wild populations are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

The Chinese softshell turtle is the most commonly raised species in China's turtle farms. According to the data obtained from 684 Chinese turtle farms, they sold over 91 million turtles of this species every year; considering that these farms represented less than half of the 1,499 registered turtle farms in China, the nationwide total could be over twice as high. These turtles are considered a delicacy in many parts of Asia.

The genome of Pelodiscus sinensis was sequenced in 2013 to examine the development and evolution of the softshell turtle body plan.