The Asian narrow-headed softshell turtle (Chitra chitra) is a large species of softshell turtle in the family Trionychidae. The species is endemic to Southeast Asia. There are two recognized subspecies.

Common names

Chitra chitra is also known commonly as Nutaphand's narrowhead softshell. It is a name given in honor of Wirot Nutaphand, a Thai herpetologist who did taxonomy.

Description

Chitra chitra can reach a straight carapace length of 4.9ft (1.5 m).

Geographic distribution

Chitra chitra is found in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Habitat

Chitra chitra inhabits freshwater rivers and their tributaries.

Reproduction

Chitra chitra is oviparous. Females reach sexually maturity at 15 years. Nutaphand (1986) reported that a large female laid over 100 eggs.

Subspecies

Two subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.

• Chitra chitra chitra – Malaysia, Thailand

• Chitra chitra javanensis – Java, Sumatra

In captivity

The largest specimen of Chitra chitra in the world was a female named Sumo. She was a pet in the possession of Kittipong Jaruthanin, a Thai fish explorer and collector. She died in September 2023, aged more than 40 years.

References

Further reading

• Nutaphand, Wirot (1986). "[Manlai, the world's largest soft-shelled turtle]" [Thai Zoological Magazine] 1 (4): [64–70]. (Chira chitra, new species). (in Thai).