# Big-headed Turtle (*Platysternon megacephalum*) The Big-headed Turtle has a very large head compared to its body! They are shy and love to hide in the water. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Epic - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Fast-flowing streams - **Also known as:** Asian Big-headed Turtle, Platysternon Turtle ![Big-headed Turtle](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426156/objects/5722.jpg) ## Appearance The Big-headed Turtle has an unusually large, triangular head that it cannot fully retract into its flattened, rough, brown or olive-green shell. It also possesses a long, muscular tail, often as long as its body, making it visually distinct. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Testudines - **Family:** Platysternidae - **Genus:** Platysternon ## Interesting facts - Big-headed Turtles love living in fast-flowing mountain streams in Asia! - Its head is too big to fully pull into its shell for safety! - Its tail can be as long as its body, helping it climb like a monkey! - This turtle can climb trees and rocks, using its powerful claws to grip! ## Special abilities - **Climbing Prowess:** Big-headed Turtle can scale rocks and tree branches using its strong claws and long tail that helps them grip and balance. - **Iron Jaws:** Big-headed Turtle has exceptionally powerful jaws that help them crush hard-shelled prey like snails and crabs with ease. - **Crevice Climber:** Big-headed Turtle has a flattened shell that helps them squeeze into tight rock crevices to hide or ambush prey. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 15-20 cm - **Weight:** 0.5-1.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-30 years - **Speed:** 0.5 km/h - **Swim Speed:** 4 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1-2 - **Incubation:** 60-90 days - **Maximum Depth:** 5 m ## Diet & Feeding This turtle is a hungry hunter, eating many small critters it finds in the water. - **Primary Foods:** fish, snails, crabs, insects, worms - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Eurasian Otter](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-otter) (*Lutra lutra*) — Otters may prey on juveniles. - **Hunts:** [Common Carp](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-carp) (*Cyprinus carpio*) — Ambushes fish swimming nearby. - **Hunts:** [Chinese Mystery Snail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/chinese-mystery-snail) (*Bellamya chinensis*) — Crushes shells with strong jaws. - **Hunts:** Giant River Prawn (*Macrobrachium rosenbergii*) — Seizes crustaceans in water. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Armored](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/armored): Armored describes animals protected by a hard, external covering or shell for defense. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Big-headed Turtle? Compare scales, body proportions, legs, tail and shell, if there is one. Many reptiles change their look with age, temperature or breeding condition. Reptile Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Big-headed Turtle? 15-20 cm ### How much does Big-headed Turtle weigh? 0.5-1.5 kg ### How long does Big-headed Turtle live? 15-30 years ### How fast can Big-headed Turtle move? 0.5 km/h ### What does Big-headed Turtle eat? This turtle is a hungry hunter, eating many small critters it finds in the water. ### How fast can Big-headed Turtle swim? 4 km/h ### Where is Big-headed Turtle usually found? Fast-flowing streams ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Big-headed Turtle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/big-headed-turtle)