Chinese softshell turtle

A medium-to-large freshwater softshell turtle (family Trionychidae) native to East and Southeast Asia (China, Vietnam, Korea, Japan, and introduced elsewhere). Adults reach 25–35 cm carapace length and weigh 1–5 kg. Unlike hard-shelled turtles, the carapace is covered by a leathery, flexible skin rather than rigid scutes, and is olive to dark green. The head has a long, snorkel-like snout (tubular nostrils) enabling them to breathe while submerged. They are highly aquatic, aggressive, and fast—with powerful jaws that can inflict painful bites. Omnivorous: fish, crustaceans, mollusks, insects, and aquatic plants. They can perform cutaneous respiration (absorbing oxygen through the skin and throat lining), and can excrete urea through the mouth—a unique adaptation. They are the most widely farmed turtle in the world, with over 300 million produced annually in China for food (a prized delicacy and tonic). Females lay 15–30 eggs per clutch; incubation: 50–60 days. The genome is sequenced (2n=66). Lifespan: 25–50 years. IUCN: Vulnerable.