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Borneo Dispatches #67: Shuriken Turtle

Posted: April 2nd, 2013, 6:50 am
by Hans Breuer (twoton)
The other day, on a nice walk along a creek lined with the most exquisite brick-red trees, their bark peeling off in huge swaths (Tristaniopsis merguensis), I almost stepped on this beautiful and weird little reptile: a Spiny Turtle (Heosemys spinosa). It's an endangered species (then again, what isn't), and that's all I have to say about it, since I know less than doodah about chelonians. (However, I'm quite convinced that it's an invasive species from Nippon: not only is it shaped like a shuriken, but its plastron displays numerous instances of the Imperial Japanese War Flag....)More input would be much appreciated!


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Re: Borneo Dispatches #67: Shuriken Turtle

Posted: April 2nd, 2013, 9:25 am
by Antonsrkn
Whoa, I had never seen one of those belly side up, really pretty! I'm thinking i'm going to be in Borneo for a bit later this year and this is one of the (many) species I am hoping to come across.

Re: Borneo Dispatches #67: Shuriken Turtle

Posted: April 2nd, 2013, 12:00 pm
by Ruxs
Hans Breuer (twoton) wrote:It's an endangered species (then again, what isn't),
Ha. It's a real challenge to name a South-East Asian turtle which isn't Vulnerable, Endangered or Critically Endangered.

Nice work beating me to finding this Turtle, I'm sure I will encounter it sooner or later.
Antonsrkn wrote:I'm thinking i'm going to be in Borneo for a bit later this year and this is one of the (many) species I am hoping to come across.
Good luck on that.

I don't mean to be pessimistic, but I doubt you'll seen any turtles at all. I think this is the second turtle Hans has seen during his time there, and Borneo is one of the better places for turtles.

Re: Borneo Dispatches #67: Shuriken Turtle

Posted: April 2nd, 2013, 12:23 pm
by Antonsrkn
Good luck on that.

I don't mean to be pessimistic, but I doubt you'll seen any turtles at all. I think this is the second turtle Hans has seen during his time there, and Borneo is one of the better places for turtles.
Haha I'm a bit pessimistic about my chances as well but that doesn't change my desire to see one. I'll be in the jungle down there all day and as many nights as possible for a month (or more) straight so don't count me out before I have even started! That's a lot of herping hours.
I'm sure I will encounter it sooner or later.
Good luck on that. I hear they're uncommon. :thumb: :lol:

Re: Borneo Dispatches #67: Shuriken Turtle

Posted: April 2nd, 2013, 9:33 pm
by Curtis Hart
That is a beautiful specimen. Nice find Hans!


I didn't think they were endangered. I found one at Bukit Lawang in Sumatra, and the guides there said they find them about 50% of the time. I'm guessing that is high, but who knows. Malayan Softshells are very easy there as well. Seeing two species of turtles in 3 days was pretty good for SE Asia.




Curtis

Re: Borneo Dispatches #67: Shuriken Turtle

Posted: April 2nd, 2013, 9:53 pm
by Kevin Messenger
awesome, Asian turtles are always a treat. Sucks so much that throughout all of Asia they all seem to get the same treatment by the locals (i.e., it's not just isolated to the Chinese for example)

Re: Borneo Dispatches #67: Shuriken Turtle

Posted: April 9th, 2013, 6:43 am
by Kfen
Awesome find! This forum needs more turtle posts and I have been hoping you would come across some se asian species to post. I have considered keeping this species for many years but have yet to take the plunge, can you tell me what kind of temperatures the area you found him in experiences? Thanks

Re: Borneo Dispatches #67: Shuriken Turtle

Posted: April 9th, 2013, 6:47 am
by Hans Breuer (twoton)
Kfen wrote:Awesome find! This forum needs more turtle posts and I have been hoping you would come across some se asian species to post. I have considered keeping this species for many years but have yet to take the plunge, can you tell me what kind of temperatures the area you found him in experiences? Thanks
Between 27 and 34 C, I should say

Re: Borneo Dispatches #67: Shuriken Turtle

Posted: April 16th, 2013, 10:04 am
by Mike Pingleton
Beautiful! What a find.

-Mike