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Big-headed Turtle | Ocean Park Hong Kong

Reptiles

Big-headed Turtle

Scientific Name

Platysternon megacephalum

Other Common Name(s)

Big-headed Terrapin

Body Weight

Up to 1 kg

Body Length

Carapace: up to 18 cm

Silhouette of a turtle next to a human hand.

Turtle with patterned shell in shallow water on a rock.

Habitat

Mountain streams and the forests nearby

Diet

Insects, crabs, freshwater snails, fruits and other plants

Fun Facts

True to their name, the heads of big-headed turtles are so large that they cannot be retracted into their shells. However, they have very sharp beaks and powerful bites, and can even release a foul odor when threatened to drive away enemies.

The tails of big-headed turtles are covered in scales and are almost as long as their bodies, which helps them maintain balance. Combined with their strong limbs, this makes them expert climbers in mountain streams.

A turtle's head and part of its shell visible among green leaves in water.

Turtle's head peeking from green leaves in water.

Distribution

Southern China and Southeast Asia, including countries such as Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Native to Hong Kong.

Threats & Conservation

Threats

Urbanisation & Infrastructure
Overexploitation of Biological Resources
Human Disturbance & Ecosystem Disruption
Invasive Species & Diseases
Pollution
Climate Change

The habitats of local freshwater turtles are being destroyed by human activities. Additionally, big-headed turtles have recently become popular as pets, leading to rampant poaching. There are also turtles in the wild in Hong Kong due to reasons such as abandonment, many of which are invasive species that compete for resources with local freshwater turtles. Experts estimate that only a few hundred adult big-headed turtles remain in the wild in Hong Kong; because they have low reproductive rates and take a long time to reach sexual maturity, their wild populations are in a precarious state.

Conservation

IUCN Red List

Critically Endangered

Red List of China's Biodiversity

Critically Endangered

CITES

Appendix I

Conservation

Chinese Wildlife Conservation Law: Category 2
Protected under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170) and the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) in Hong Kong

Ocean Park's Conservation Efforts

The Park has received big-headed turtles confiscated by the government from smuggling and provided them with health checks and medical treatment. They are currently settled at the Park for recovery. Furthermore, the Park hosted the 1st International Conference on Integrated Conservation of Asian Turtles in 2026, inviting experts to discuss future conservation strategies for big-headed turtles and other freshwater turtles.

Animal Rescue & Recovery in Ocean Park

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