Wildlifeof Thailand
Malayan Snail-eating Turtle
Geoemydidae
Photo: (c) Jay Paroline, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY 4.0 (May be cropped or resized)
Malayemys macrocephala
Basic stats
Diet
Freshwater snails and other aquatic animals
Habitat
Marshes, canals, ponds and rice fields
Range
Thailand and neighbouring mainland Southeast Asia
The Malayan snail-eating turtle has a domed dark shell, broad head and powerful jaws adapted to crushing freshwater snail shells. It inhabits shallow marshes, canals, ponds and rice fields and is strongly aquatic, though it basks and nests on land. Malayemys macrocephala is distinguished from related snail-eating turtles by head and shell markings (Wikipedia, general species account). It is Nationally Least Concern (Thailand Red Data 2025).
Quick answers
- What does the Malayan Snail-eating Turtle eat?
- Freshwater snails and other aquatic animals
- What habitat does the Malayan Snail-eating Turtle live in?
- Marshes, canals, ponds and rice fields
- Where is the Malayan Snail-eating Turtle found?
- Thailand and neighbouring mainland Southeast Asia