Asian Giant Soft-shell Turtle - Tumblr Posts

Have you ever heard of a shell-less turtle that can grow up to 6 ft (1.8 m) long? Meet the Asian giant softshell turtle (Pelochelys cantorii). Unlike many of its relatives, it has no exterior shell—just a layer of thick rubbery skin covering wide-spanning, fused ribs that protect its internal organs. Its frog-like face adds to its unusual appearance. This reptile can be found in freshwater habitats where it burrows beneath the sand with only its snout poking out. Unfortunately, the species is threatened by loss of its riverine and coastal habitats, as well as by being hunted for its meat and eggs.

Photo: Dementia, CC BY-SA 2.0, flickr