Cantor's Giant Softshell Turtle

The Cantor's giant softshell turtle (also known as Asian giant softshell turtle) is a fresh water turtle that used to inhabit India, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Sumatra, Borneo, and western Java. However, for the past decade, sightings have only reported in Laos. It was last seen in the Cambodian wild in 2003.

The species inhabits slow-moving fresh water streams and rivers. There are indications that its range may extend to coastal areas, as well.

This strange looking turtle is named after Theodore Edward Cantor (1809–1860), a Danish physician, zoologist and botanist. 

Description

It has a broad head, with small eyes near the tip of the snout. Individuals can reach a maximum length of about 2 meters (6 feet). Adults have a smooth and olive colored carapace, while juveniles may have dark-spotted carapaces and heads, with yellow around the carapace. Contrary to most turtles, the Cantor’s giant softshell turtle has no exterior shell, although the ribs do form a protective plating over its back, covered by rubbery skin. Individuals may have sharp scales on the underside of the forelimbs.