Nature: The Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB) announces successful breeding of black marsh turtles

The Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB) has announced the successful breeding of black marsh turtles or Siebenrockiella crassicollis. The hatchling was born at the centre on 9 July 2024.

Siebenrockiella crassicollis

Black Marsh Turtles are an endangered species endemic to Southeast Asia, facing a number of threats, including exploitation for national and international consumption, trade and habitat loss.

The turtles are predominantly black with a few white spots on their face and are affectionately known as the 'Smiling Terrapin' for their upward-curved mouth.

ACCB reports that this hatchling's parents were rescued from illegal roadside sales, marking the beginning of its efforts to build a successful assurance population for this species.

Black Marsh turtle females typically lay one or two large eggs at a time, with the potential to lay up to three or four eggs per season.

Black Marsh Turtles is one of the ten endangered turtles in Cambodia. The other nine endangered turtles include: Batagur affinis, Heosemys annandalii, Pelochelys cantorii, Malayemys subtrijuga, Amyda cartilaginea, Indotestudo elongate, Manouria impressa, Heosemys grandis, and Chelonia mydas.

ACCB