Turtles often retract their heads and limbs into the shells when scared or threatened, but Big-headed Turtles (𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘮 Gray, 1831) do not.
Big-headed Turtles have large and hard heads that cannot be retracted. When they are threatened or attacked, instead they bite with their eagle-like hooked beaks, looking braver than many turtles. The beaks help the turtles foraging on aquatic animals (e.g. insects, crabs and molluscs), with plant materials (especially fruits of 𝘔𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘶𝘴 species) being their favourites.
They spend most of their life in hill streams and pools, seldom adventuring on land. This species also does not travel far, usually remaining within an area of 100m from home.
Besides, their highly flattened bodies allow them to hide between rocks or among crevices, and their strong limbs with powerful and webbed claws assist them to become excellent rock climbers. With our specimens, you can have a closer look at these special body features of the Big-headed Turtles.
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