Cantor's giant softshell

The Cantor's giant softshell is classified as Endangered (EN), considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.

Cantor's Giant softshell turtle, thought to be extinct in Cambodia since 2003 has been rediscovered in a section of the Mekong River almost untouched by humans. More

Cantor's giant softshell turtle is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species due to hunting and habitat destruction from dams, irrigation, and river dredging. More

The Cantor's giant softshell was thought to be among them, but scientists explained the turtle's nature also makes it elusive. More

Cantor's giant softshell turtle has a rubbery skin with ribs fused together to form a protective layer over the internal organs. To protect itself from predators, the turtle spends 95 percent of its life hidden in sand or mud with only its eyes and nose showing. More

Cantor's Giant Softshell Turtle hatchlings group © WWF-Chris Greenwood Cantor The most exciting area surveyed was a 55 kilometre stretch of river located in north-eastern Cambodia, referred to as the “Central Section”, which is a sanctuary for many vulnerable fauna populations, More

Common names

Asian Giant soft-shelled Turtle in English - English
Asian giant softshell turtle in English - English
Cantor's giant softshell in English - English
Pelochelys cantorii in Spanish - español
Riesenweichschildkrote in German - Deutsch
ตะพาบหัวกบ in Thai - ไทย
マルスッポン in Japanese - 日本語