This year we have had an abundance of rain on Okinawa. Locals have been finding a great deal of turtles on the road, specifically the Chinese soft-shell turtle ( Pelodiscus sinensis ). This soft shell turtle was originally introduced as a food source. This species is currently listed as vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List.
- Scientific name: Pelodiscus sinensis
- Common name: Chinese softshell turtle
- Distribution: Introduced to most of Japan and the Ryukyu Islands
- Habitat: Ponds, drainage ditches, rice paddies and farm fields.
- Diet: Insects, fish, frogs, snails, and plants
- Average size: 30-35cm
- Color: Olive gray
An adult soft turtle found in the farm fields at night.
A large female I found laying eggs on the bank of a small water source.
A closeup of a soft turtle infested with leaches. Stop staring!
Meet chunky
The beautiful farm fields of Okinawa, prime habitat for aquatic turtles.
My Mission: To Document and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands
This site is also designed to help people identify the beautiful animals of Okinawa, basically to serve as an online nature reference guide. If you would like to make a contribution to support my mission, please click on the donation link paypal.me/maketheswitch4nature
Your donations will help worldwide conservation initiatives as well as bring solutions to the worldwide pollution issues on our beautiful shorelines. Thank you for your support. Shawn M Miller.
#MakeTheSwitch4Nature