The Endangered Aquatic Box Turtle

The Coahuilan aquatic box turtle is found in a unique valley in Mexico called Cuatrocienegas and no where else on the planet. It's the only aquatic box turtle in the world, and is heavily protected. Scientists estimate that only about 2000 exist in the wild and their habitat is quickly shrinking due to over use of water in agriculture, climate change and invasive species.

University of Texas at Austin biologists have been studying them for about a decade. Watch this slideshow to learn more about the turtles and their research.

Produced by Lee Clippard
Photos by Lee Clippard and Marsha Miller
The University of Texas at Austin

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• endangered
• species
• biodiversity
• springs
• water
• hyrdogeology
• Mexico
• Cuatrocienegas
• turtle
• wildlife
• reptiles

[44yellowlab]

the malayan box turtle is aquatic

[amonarre]

asian box turtle is aquatic as well.