Ryukyu Black-breasted Leaf Turtle

Ryukyu Black-breasted Leaf Turtle (Geoemyda japonica) is a small geoemydid turtle with a leaf-like keeled shell and dark lower surface, growing to roughly 5–6 inches. Its angular shell and strongly patterned head and limbs distinguish it from the smoother pond turtles occurring in the region. Identification should combine the documented shell or scale characters with locality, because related reptiles can be similar. All claims are limited to the species accounts opened for this batch (Wikipedia, general species account; Reptile Database).

It is endemic to Japan's Ryukyu Islands and was designated a National Natural Monument in 1975. Captive observations record worms, snails, insects and fruit in its diet. Formerly treated as a subspecies of Geoemyda spengleri, it was redescribed as a full species in 1992 and can hybridise with Cuora flavomarginata (Wikipedia, general species account). Details not supported at species level are omitted rather than supplied from related reptiles. Japanese occurrence follows the site's catalogue and the cited distribution information, without using any IUCN conservation material (Wikipedia, general species account; Reptile Database).