Pelodiscus

Pelodiscus is a genus of softshell turtles in the family Trionychidae, native to East and Southeast Asia. The best-known species is Pelodiscus sinensis, the Chinese softshell turtle, which is widespread and widely farmed for meat and traditional medicines. The genus comprises several additional species with more restricted geographic ranges in Asia.

Members have a leatherlike, flexible carapace; an elongated, beak-like snout with tubular nostrils; a flattened body; and webbed limbs adapted to aquatic life. They are highly aquatic and spend much of their time in rivers, ponds, and slow-moving streams, often near soft, sandy or muddy bottoms.

Pelodiscus turtles are omnivorous, feeding on aquatic invertebrates, small fish, mollusks, amphibians, and plant matter. They are capable of rapid bursts of swimming and may bury themselves in sediment or bask on the shore when conditions permit. Reproduction is tied to warmer seasons; females lay eggs on land near water, often in sandy banks. Clutch sizes vary by species and environment, typically ranging from several to a few dozen eggs, with incubation lasting roughly 40 to 70 days depending on temperature.

Conservation and human use vary by species. The Chinese softshell turtle is widely farmed and traded, while other Pelodiscus species may be more restricted in range and subject to habitat loss and collection in the wild. In some regions, farmed individuals escaping into the environment can affect local ecosystems, prompting management and conservation considerations.