Motionless for 95% of Its Life, This Turtle Faces Extinction

Hidden beneath Southeast Asia’s rivers, the Cantor’s giant softshell turtle spends 95% of its life motionless, buried in mud. But don’t mistake stillness for weakness. With jaws capable of crushing bone and a lightning-fast neck strike, this elusive predator is a master of ambush.

In Kerala’s Chandragiri River, a new discovery in 2024 offers hope for this critically endangered species. Could this ancient survivor finally escape the brink of extinction?

The Art of Staying Still

Motionless for 95% of Its Life, This Turtle Faces Extinction » Pelochelys cantorii Cantor giant softshell turtle wc
Image Credit: Dementia, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

These predators have mastered the art of patience, spending most of their lives buried in river sediment with just their eyes and snorkel-like snouts protruding from the mud. Their specialized eyes, positioned on top of their head, allow them to detect prey while remaining completely hidden in the sand substrate.

Despite their typically sluggish appearance, these turtles transform into explosive hunters, extending their long necks with surprising speed to catch unsuspecting prey. Their aggressive nature and powerful jaws make them formidable predators, capable of delivering a “biteless punch” attack when threatened.

A Unique Design for Underwater Living

Motionless for 95% of Its Life, This Turtle Faces Extinction » Pelochelys cantorii wc
Image Credit: Brown R, Siler C, Oliveros C, Welton L, Rock A, Swab J, Van Weerd M, van Beijnen J, Rodriguez D, Jose E, Diesmos A, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Cantor’s giant softshell turtle stands out with its distinctive features. Their shell is leathery and flat, colored in subtle olive-brownish shades without prominent patterns, perfect for camouflage.

These giants can reach impressive dimensions, with their carapace growing to more than a yard in length. Their most striking feature is their broad, semi-circular head with a short snout compared to other softshell turtles, giving them their distinctive frog-like appearance.

Masters of Aquatic Adaptation

Motionless for 95% of Its Life, This Turtle Faces Extinction » Pelochelys cantorii from the vicinity of St Victoria wc
Image Credit: Brown R, Siler C, Oliveros C, Welton L, Rock A, Swab J, Van Weerd M, van Beijnen J, Rodriguez D, Jose E, Diesmos A, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

These turtles show adaptations to aquatic life, preferring slow-moving rivers, large lakes, and deep ponds with sandy or muddy bottoms. Instead of typical sleep patterns, they enter a state of torpor, reducing their metabolic rate while maintaining alertness to potential threats or feeding opportunities.

Female turtles are notably larger than males, though males can be distinguished by their longer tails.

Fighting for Survival

Motionless for 95% of Its Life, This Turtle Faces Extinction » Cantors giant softshell turtle wc
Image Credit: لا اعرفه, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Cantor’s giant softshell turtle faces numerous threats across its range in 11 countries. Their population has declined dramatically due to habitat destruction, hunting for meat, and accidental capture in fishing gear.

The species is now classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, with some populations potentially extinct in certain areas. (ref) Their presence in both freshwater and marine habitats makes them unique among freshwater turtles, though the reason for their sea visits remains a mystery.

The Future of the Turtle

Motionless for 95% of Its Life, This Turtle Faces Extinction » Pelochelys cantorii Ranthambore national Park wc
Image Credit: Vickiii1405, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The 2024 discovery in Kerala’s Chandragiri River represents a significant breakthrough in conservation efforts. (ref) Local community engagement proved crucial, leading to the documentation of nesting behavior and the rescue of eggs from flooded nests.

Conservation teams are now establishing community hatcheries and nurseries, working closely with local villagers who have become instrumental in protecting these ancient creatures. Through a combination of traditional wisdom and scientific research, conservationists are laying the groundwork for the species’ recovery, demonstrating that even the most elusive creatures can be saved through collaborative efforts between scientists and local communities.

As conservation efforts expand and local communities become more involved in their protection, there’s hope that these living fossils will continue to patrol the rivers of Asia for generations to come.

Nancy Maffia » nancy
Nancy Maffia
Author & Editor | + posts

Nancy received a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.