Endangered Soft-Shell Turtles

Turtles come in a variety of breeds, though the nature of some can expose them to the realities of endangerment and possible extinction. Soft shell turtles are an example of this; unlike usual turtles, soft shell turtles aren't protected by a hand outer shell, making them more vulnerable to predators and harsh environments. As a consequence, many breeds are endangered and are in need of human intervention to prevent them from becoming extinct.

  1. Yangtze Giant Soft Shell Turtle

    • Many of the soft shell turtles breeds are found in Asia, one of the most endangered being the Yangtze giant soft shell turtle. Known scientifically as Rafetus Swinhoei, it is a breed of turtle that can be found in parts of China and Vietnam and is the largest known fresh water turtle. Only three are known to still be existing; one can be found in Hoan Kiem Lake near Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam.

    Cantor Giant Soft Shell Turtle

    • Another endangered Asian soft shell turtle is the Cantor giant soft shell turtle native to Cambodia. A large turtle that is known to grow to over one hundred pounds, they were moved from the extinct list to the endangered list after being re-discovered in 2007. These soft shell turtles spend the majority of their lives hidden from human eyes, but nevertheless are at a constant risk from hunters and the destruction of their natural habitats, the latter due to the long history of military conflict in Cambodia.

    Narrow-Headed Soft-Shelled Turtle

    • The Narrow-Headed Soft-Shelled turtle is one of the highest risk breeds in the world, one of the most endangered animals. These turtles can be found in parts of the Asian Subcontinent in Nepal, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. It can be easily recognized by its many descriptive features, such as its deep olive green color, the complex pattern of its coastal stripes and the bell shaped pattern that can be found on its neck. It is considered to be most in danger in Bangladesh as it is the rarest in this country.

    Spiny Soft Shell Turtle

    • The spiny soft shell turtle is different from the other endangered soft shell turtle on this list in that it is the only turtle not native to Asia. This breed of soft shell turtle is found in parts of Canada. In fact, it is the largest fresh water turtle in this location, and is characterized by the cone-shaped growths on its carapace. This breed is endangered partly due to its habit of moving to different locations and needing a specific set of conditions in order to survive, leaving them at risk of being left homeless due to human destruction of their homes.