Cuora Amboinensis Views

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Cuora amboinensis, the Malaysian box turtle, is a member of Geoemydidae within Cryptodira. There are six extant species in the genus Cuora, and the three species of Cistoclemmys were formerly considered part of this genus as well (Bonin et al., 2006). The phylogenetic position of Geoemydidae has been debated (e.g., McDowell, 1964; Hirayama, 1984; Gaffney and Meylan, 1988; Spinks et al., 2004), and the clade is currently considered to be the sister-group to Emydidae within Testudinoidea (Joyce, 2007). Geoemydidae originated in the Tertiary, and is therefore a relatively young turtle clade (Ernst and Barbour, 1989; Bonin et al., 2006).

Cuora amboinensis has a small, short skull. There is a plastral hinge between the hyoplastron and hypoplastron that allows the animal to completely close its shell, and the plastron is connected to the carapace by a ligament (Ernst and Barbour, 1989). The carapace is arched, and may reach up to 20cm in length. The digits are partially webbed. Cuora amboinensis ranges in color from dark green to black dorsally and yellow to olive ventrally, with yellow stripes on the side of the head (Ernst and Barbour, 1989; Bonin et al., 2006).

Although Cuora amboinensis is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN[4], they are able to thrive in some areas of the world. For example, they can be found in the storm drains of Brunei. These are seriously polluted, and yet seem to be extremely popular habitat for these turtles and other animals that can withstand eutrophication. In some places, this species is hunted for use in folk medicine[5].

Cuora amboinensis can be quite difficult to breed in captivity, compared with other box turtles. These turtles have a mating ritual very similar to that of other box turtles. No courtship occurs, the male simply climbs upon the female. He then snaps at her head, so that she closes to front half of her shell, opening the back.