Chinese Soft-shelled Turtle

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(Binomial name: Pelodiscus sinensis)

The Chinese Soft Shelled Turtle is a species from the genus Pelodiscus.

Distribution: China, Taiwan, Korea, Manchuria, North Vietnam, Japan. Also, after being introduced to new environments, can be found in Singapore, Thailand, Batan Islands and California.

Reproduction: The eggs are laid in June and number 17 to 28 per clutch - two to four times a year.

Superfamily: Trionychoidea is a superfamily of turtles which encompasses species that are commonly referred to as softshelled turtles. It consists of a single family, two subfamilies, and 14 genera. They are found throughout the temperate regions of the world.

Family: Trionychidae is a taxonomic family which comprises a number of turtle genera commonly known as softshell turtles. It consists of some of the world's largest fresh water turtles. Members of this family occur in Africa, Asia, North America, and the East Indies. They are called softshelled turtles because their carapace lacks any scutes, and is leathery and pliable at the sides. They are often eaten as a delicacy in many parts of East Asia.

The family Trionychidae makes up most of our modern soft-shell turtles, and comprises over 32 species living in the freshwater lakes and rivers of North America, Asia and Africa.