Cuora flavomarginata (Gray 1863) – Yellow-Margined Box Turtle

Abstract

The yellow-margined box turtle, Cuora flavomarginata, (Family Geoemydidae), is a small species (carapace length to 190 mm), that occurs in eastern and southern continental China, Taiwan, and the southern Ryukyus of Japan. The species is mainly terrestrial and is found in and around primary and dense secondary forests, feeding on both small animals and plant materials, such as insects, earthworms, and berries. Clutch size usually ranges from one to four, and the female tends to be larger in body mass than the male, sometimes exceeding 1000 g. The yellow-margined box turtle is threatened by deforestation in its natural habitat, and large numbers have been exploited for food and traditional Chinese medicine and also exported from continental China for pets. This exploitation has caused the decline of many populations of this turtle. Capture and trade in Japanese and Taiwanese populations are currently regulated by national laws, but habitat destruction progresses in both countries. There is thus urgency that areas of habitat be set aside and protected. In order to devise effective conservation measures, it is also important to undertake research on life history and population status of the species; information on these aspects is insufficient, especially for the non-Taiwanese populations.