Madagascan Big Headed Turtle

The Madagascan big-headed turtle (Erymnochelys madagascariensis) is a turtle native to the waters of permanent slow moving rivers and lakes in western Madagascar. These turtles are critically endangered and have been evaluated to be the most endangered turtle in the world by a 2018 review. Despite their vulnerability to extinction, they are commonly eaten for food and they are still commonly shipped from Madagascar to Asia to help meet the demand of Asia's traditional medicine market. A captive breeding program has prevent the species from becoming extinct.

The Madagascan big-headed turtle is one of the most endangered turtles in the world, and is also included in the Turtle Conservation Funds (TFC) top 25 endangered. It has a hard dark brown shell enclosing all the soft parts of the body and, as its name indicates, a very large head. Young turtles have a soft pattern of fine black lines on their shells, but they disappear with age. The main threat for this species is that they are heavily exploited for food, caught in nets, fish traps and by hooks and lines. It is also hunted for illegal export to Asia for the traditional medicinal market. Another threat is land development as it destroys its natural habitat.

The Madagascar big-headed turtle is found only in the western lowland river basins of Madagascar. Despite having an extent of occurrence of 20,000 km2, the true area occupied by the species is thought to be as small as 500 km2. The Madagascar big-headed turtle prefers slow-moving waterways and wetlands, where it can bask on exposed logs and rocks. Dietary analyses have shown the species to feed on aquatic invertebrates, molluscs, carrion and plants. Females nest between september and January, when they lay an average of 13 eggs. Females appear to breed once every two years.