BLACK BRIDGED LEAF
TURTLE
CYCLEMYS ATRIPONS
The Black Bridged Leaf Turtle, (or 'Southern Stripe-necked Leaf Turtle' as it is
also sometimes referred to) comes from Cardamom Mountains in Cambodia. They are
one of the few Turtle species that can feed on land as well as in the water.
They are omnivorous, but Adults tend more vegetarian preferring more fruit in their diet.
Both the male and female Black Bridged Leaf Turtle
grow to approximately 23cm. The male has a larger tail and is narrower in the shell
in comparison to the female.
The shell of the adult Black Bridged Leaf Turtle ranges from an
olive-brown to dark brown carapace, and orange-yellow to yellow plastron. With age they
lose the spectacular 'radiating leaf vein' patterning seen on the juvenile below. The skin
can range from an olive or grey-green shade. The striping on the neck is a very pale
pinkie colour.
Hatchling and Juvenile Black Bridged Leaf Turtles scutes have an amazing
'radiating leaf vein' pattern on their carapace and plastron.
 
Adult females lay one clutch of 4-6 large eggs (up to 60mm long & weigh up to 36
grams) per year. Unlike most other species of Turtles that lay their eggs in holes dug in
the ground, Black Bridged Leaf Turtles lay their eggs on top of the
ground in a small depression under over hanging grasses. Females have a hinged plastron
that allows her to lay such large eggs.
Black Bridged Leaf Turtles are semi aquatic Turtles and spend just as
much time out of the water as they do in the water. They are 'bottom walkers' just like
the Reeve's Turtles. This means that they aren't strong swimmers like true 'aquatic'
Turtles, (ie: Eastern Snake-neck Turtles, Red-eared Turtles, Eastern River Cooters) and
tend to walk along the bottom of their pond / tank rather than swim. Like the Reeve's
Turtles, juveniles are better swimmers than adults. If you intend keeping Black
Bridged Leaf Turtles in deeper water, the water temperatures must stay above 20oC
to prevent drowning. I strongly recommend that these Turtles are able to reach the water
surface whilst standing on the bottom of their pond / tank.
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