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© Turtle Island 2023

The introvert

I was socially distancing before it was cool!

The story behind this turtle

This is the only turtle species which natural occurrence is unknown. It is a highly endangered Asian box turtle that turned up in Chinese food markets and is presumed extinct in the wild. We have established successful breeding projects with our partner in Münster (Elmar Meier, International Breeding Station for Tortoises, Münster Zoo). Our breeding group includes adolescent males, which are extremely rare.

Very reserved and shy at first, box turtles are able to entirely close their shell due to a hinge on their plastron. As soon as they realise that the coast is clear, they open their shell and start to observe their environment through their unique eyes resembling the eyes of a toad.

In 2021 Turtle island merged with the Austrian Cuora Conservation Center founded by Torsten Blanck, the world authority in Asian Box Turtles of the genus Cuora.

Facts & Figures

The introvert

- Toad eyes        
- Origin unknown
- Zhou's box turtle
- Critically Endangered

Scientific name
Cuora zhoui
Status
Critically Endangered
Origin
?

The introvert

Make a donation to this turtle or choose to gift a sponsorship. You can buy a sponsorship to a friend or family member and support your favourite turtle. Choose one our twelve turtles and get a personalised certificate dedicated to the person of your choice.

Become sponsor or Gift a sponsorship

Account

Name:
Turtle Island Corporation USA
Bank:
Wells Fargo
IBAN:
1136635370 (Account)
BIC:
122000247 (Routing)

Contact

MAG. DR. PETER PRASCHAG
Founder of Turtle Island
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Turtle Island
A project to conserve
the most threatened
vertebrate animals
on our planet
office@turtle-island.at
Turtle Island Newsletter
© Turtle Island 2023