Classification: Introduced Species - While the Wattle-Necked Softshell Turtle has been seen and identified in Hawaii at this time there are no records of any breeding populations in the wild, but there are most likely a generation of these turtles that have produced offspring.

Description: A large softshell that has wattles (turbercles) on the skin of the neck, especially in a clump where the front of the carapace joins the neck. Juveniles have bright yellow markings, typically a wide stripe, on the sides of the head and neck. This arrangement of wattles is not found on Pelodiscus sinensis (Chinese softshell), the only other softshell found in Hawaii. P. steindachneri exhibits sexual dimorphism. Females of this freshwater turtle reach up to 17.5 inches in straight carapace length, while males only reach up to 14 inches. However, males have a longer tail than the females.

Habitat: This species’ habitat primarily consists of freshwater streams, rivers, lakes, ponds and marshes from sea level up to 4925 feet above sea level.

Range: P. steindachneri is native to southeastern China (Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Yunnan), Laos, and Vietnam, but has also been introduced to Hawaii and Mauritius./ It remains unclear whether the introduced population on Mauritius still exists.

Found in these States: HI

Diet: The wattle-necked softshell is a highly aquatic, omnicarnivorous turtle, feeding on aquatic invertebrates, fish and other aquatic vertebrates

Reproduction: Females in farms are said to mature at about 11 inch carapace length and 5.5 lb. size at the age of five years, and produce clutches of 15–20 eggs

Status: P. steindachneri is endangered by poaching for human consumption. Although pressure on the wild population continues, several thousand are hatched and raised each year on turtle farms in China and Vietnam for food and traditional medicine. Populations of this species in Hawaii are very important as they offer an ex situ conservation opportunity for this species, away from the demand for food.

Palea steindachneri is highly valuable in food trade; some populations may also be affected by forest loss and hydropower development. The species is captured with hooks, traps, electrofishing, explosives, probing and noodling in streams. There are multiple registered commercial farms breeding the species, and alongside the legal captive production there are indications of trade in wild-caught animals to supply farms or laundered through them.

Palea steindachneri has been listed on CITES Appendix II since 2013. It was declared a National Protected Wild Animal Category II in China’s Wild Animals Protection Law. It is not specifically protected under Vietnamese legislation, although the Forest Protection Law should offer a modicum of habitat protection. The species likely survives within suitable habitat in protected areas in Viet Nam. The primary conservation measure needed for P. steindachneri (and many other species and their ecosystem) is the creation of secure, adequately managed protected areas with suitable habitat. Surveys to evaluate the status and occurrence of populations can be integrated into broader biodiversity surveys. Research on natural history and ecology, and evaluation of genetic and morphological variability, are desirable.

Subspecies: None

Taxonomy: