The large-headed side-necked turtle of Madagascar

The number of large-headed side-necked turtles in Madagascar is desolate , it is hunted heavily as a kind of food in the native area. It is large in size, so the number entering the Chinese market is almost zero. The carapace is dark brown and will change to a certain extent with age.

There is only one species of Madagascar side-necked turtle, the Madagascar big-headed side-necked turtle (Madagascar strong turtle). They are larger in size, with a carapace up to 43.5 centimeters long. They live in slow-flowing rivers and streams, and can be found in swamps and lagoons.

The carapace is gray olive, oval, with a flat top. There are no ridges on the vertebral scutes, the rear edge of the carapace of adult turtles is not serrated (juveniles and hatchlings have serrations), and there is no cervical scute. The plastron and nail bridge are brown, long and narrow. The front edge of the anterior leaflet is rounded, the posterior leaflet is wider, and the laryngeal shield does not fully separate the laryngeal shield. The head is light brown, large and wide, the snout is upturned, the left and right beaks are hook-shaped, and there is only one antennae in the center of the lower jaw (occasionally there are two antennae). The back of the neck is grayish brown, and the neck and abdomen are yellow. The hands and feet have developed webs, and there are three large scales on the edges of the front and rear limbs. The length of the tail is moderate.

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