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