Creatures in Crisis
Photograph of Four-eyed turtle (Sacalia quadriocellata), recorded as Critically Endangered
Four-eyed turtle (Sacalia quadriocellata). Image via Wikimedia Commons.

Critically Endangered

Four-eyed turtle

Sacalia quadriocellata

The four-eyed turtle is a reptile of the order Testudines.

Status
Critically Endangered
Scientific name
Sacalia quadriocellata
CITES
Appendix II
Taxonomy
Testudines · Geoemydidae · Sacalia

Appearance

Its carapace typically ranges in color from a yellowish-tan to a deep chocolate-brown, and all turtles have a distinct pattern of lines. The turtle's head is often colorful with yellow or green eyes, yellow stripes, and a pink or red throat. Its name refers to two bright yellow or green spots that occur on the back of its head that can look like another pair of eyes.

The four-eyed turtle can grow to a carapace length of 15 cm (5.9 in).

Range and habitat

This species of turtle occurs in southern China and Hainan, in the Annamite Mountains and northeastern region of Laos, and in the mountains of northern and central Vietnam.

Pins are Wikidata “endemic to” fields. Orange dots, when present, are GBIF occurrence tiles — survey bias included.

Diet

As a result of their rugged surroundings, they have adapted to become adept climbers. While their dietary preferences have not been studied in detail, it is known that they do eat a wide variety of animals and plants among them crickets, worms, snails, trout chow, aquatic plants, greens and lettuces, and certain fruits.

In crisis

The species is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. It is also listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meaning international trade (among them in parts and derivatives) is regulated. A main factor in the decline of the four-eyed turtle is trade and demand for their shells.

Therefore, species recovery programs are needed to ensure the future of the species. There is currently an extensive communication between zoo and conservation personnel in Vietnam whose goal is to coordinate recovery programs.

Four-eyed turtle is Critically Endangered on this catalog because that is the IUCN category stored on Wikidata. Confirm the official criteria and any later count on iucnredlist.org.

Sources

Written for this catalog from the English Wikipedia article on Four-eyed turtle, Wikidata item Q2600292. Family and order context is original field-guide writing about the group, not a copied assessment of this one species. Wikipedia text is CC BY-SA. Not an IUCN assessment. Counts, when quoted, can change — confirm them on the recovery programme and on iucnredlist.org.

Photograph via Wikimedia Commons. Wikipedia · Wikidata · IUCN Red List.

Also in this catalog

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Javan rhinoceros

Rhinoceros sondaicus
Photograph of Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii), recorded as Critically EndangeredCR

Sumatran orangutan

Pongo abelii
Photograph of Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum), recorded as Critically EndangeredCR

Axolotl

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Quick answers

What is Four-eyed turtle?
The four-eyed turtle is a reptile of the order Testudines.
What is the conservation status of Four-eyed turtle?
Critically Endangered, as the IUCN category stored on Wikidata for Sacalia quadriocellata. Confirm the official assessment on iucnredlist.org.
Where does Four-eyed turtle live?
This species of turtle occurs in southern China and Hainan, in the Annamite Mountains and northeastern region of Laos, and in the mountains of northern and central Vietnam.
Why is Four-eyed turtle in crisis?
The species is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN.
Is this the IUCN Red List page for Sacalia quadriocellata?
No. This is a researched catalog account. The Red List is the assessment.
Is Four-eyed turtle a pet?
An animal on this catalog is in crisis in the wild. Keeping one is usually the wrong question.