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Painted
Terrapin (Callagur borneoensis)
41 cm
Emys borneoensis
H. Schlegel & S. Müller.1844. In: V. Temminck (Ed). Verh. natuur.
Ges. Ned. Natuurk. Comm. Oost-Indië: 30.
Callagur borneoensis
Type:
Nationaal Natuurhistorisch Museum, Leiden 6210 (holotype), from Borneo.
Identification:
A very large (about 41 cm in adult females; 39 cm in adult males)
hardshelled turtle, recognisable from relatives in possessing a flattened
carapace, which is light brown or olive, with three black longitudinal
stripes. In juveniles, the shell is flattened, and the vertebral keel
distinct. The head of females is olive, while non-breeding males have gray
heads. During the breeding season, the heads of adult males turn white,
and a red stripe develops on the forehead, between the eyes (illustrated
here). Males also have relatively longer and thicker tails that project
out of the rim of the carapace. Although superficially similar to the
Malayan giant turtle (Orlitia borneensis), it can be distinguished from it in possessing
smooth, scaleless skin on the forehead and its unusual male breeding
coloration.
Natural
history: Almost entirely carnivorous, only aquatic plants are eaten by
this turtle. A nesting migration occurs, adults travelling as far as three
km downriver, to nest on sea beaches, along with sea turtles. Eggs are
elongated, measuring 68-76 x 36-44 mm, and clutch size is about 12, eggs
taking 69-82 days to hatch.
Distribution:
The species inhabits the tidal portions of rivers, and may occur in
estuaries, from southern Thailand, through Peninsular Malaysia, to Sumatra
and Borneo.
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