Class: Reptilia

Order: Chelonia Cryptodira

Scientific Name: Orlitia borneensis

Range: Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo

Habitat: In and near large bodies of fresh or possibly slightly brackish water

Description: Adults grow 28-32 inches. Carapace is low, smooth, oval and uniformly dark gray, brown or black. The pale buff colored plastron is long and narrow and the side margins may be keeled. The head is relatively large and broad. The snout with a slightly hooked upper jaw projects a bit. Large scales run in a strip between the tympanum and eye and there are granular scales on the back of the uniformly brown-black head. Forelegs also have scales on the front. Toes are webbed. Males tails are longer and thicker then females. The young have a white line extending from the corner of the mouth down the neck. With age the develop white random, spider-web-like markings on the central scutes.

Behavior: They spend much time basking in the sun near the waters edge and eat in both water and on land.

Reproduction: This turtle nests in piles of debris. Eggs are brittle and ellipsoidal, about 80 x 40 mm. Hatchlings are about 60 mm long with very rugose carapaces and sharply serrated posterior marginals.

Did You Know? The emydidae family of turtles is the largest family of living turtles

Where in the Zoo? I can be found in the Gharial Crocodile Exhibit at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.