Азиатская гигантская мягкопанцирная черепаха: Распространение и особенности вида.

Species of freshwater turtle

The Asian giant softshell turtle (Pelochelys cantorii), showed that what was once thought to be P. cantorii in New Guinea was actually P. bibroni, and the earlier studies of P. cantorii only described populations farther to the west.

The Asian giant softshell turtle has a broad head, and small eyes close to the tip of its snout. The carapace is smooth and olive colored. Juveniles may have dark spotted carapaces and heads, with yellow around the carapace. Despite reports that it can grow up to in length and is the world's largest extant freshwater turtle, this maximum size and title is murky at best. Apparently the largest specimen carapace length, , known is considered suspect and the heaviest specimen known (weighing approximately was actually a misidentified Yangtze giant softshell turtle. A more realistic range of carapace length for this species is reportedly and it is one of about a half dozen giant softshell turtles from three genera that reach exceptionally large sizes, i. e. in excess of in mass.

P. cantorii is an ambush predator and primarily carnivorous, feeding on crustaceans, mollusks and fish (although some aquatic plants may also be eaten).

Morphological differences in neural bone count have been noted between specimens of P. cantori found in the Philippines and specimens found in mainland Asia.

The specific name, cantorii, is in honor of Danish zoologist Theodore Edward Cantor.

The species P. cantorii is primarily found in inland, slow moving, freshwater rivers and streams. Some evidence indicates that its range extends to coastal areas, as well. Prior to 2007, it was last seen in Cambodia in 2003. A 2007 survey of one area of the Mekong River in Cambodia found the turtle in abundance along a stretch of the river. In the Philippines, a juvenile Cantor's turtle known as "cagot" appeared and was captured by a fisherman along the Addalam River, Cabarroguis, Quirino, Isabela. In 2001, this turtle was sent to Chicago and its identity confirmed. The reptile has been evaluated as an EDGE species by the Zoological Society of London.