PALAWAN FOREST TURTLE

(Siebenrockiella leytensis) Critically Endangered

Illegal trade is seen as this turtle’s biggest enemy, as they haven’t been studied enough yet to determine many aspects of their natural lives.

The Palawan forest turtle has an external shell that is reddish-brown to black, and can reach up to a little more than eight inches in length. Some individual turtles have been known to reach up to 12 inches, but these are considered to be rare. They have hooked upper jaws.

They are recognized by their projecting shell shape, armor plates that look like ginkgo leaves, and light line markings behind the main head area. They are omnivorous, meaning they can eat aquatic plants, small fish, and crustaceans. Historically, they were feared to be extinct until 2001 when specimens were found.