CR

Four-eyed Turtle

Sacalia quadriocellata

Declining

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Sacalia quadriocellata faces severe population decline primarily due to intensive collection for the traditional medicine trade and food markets across China and Vietnam. Habitat degradation from agricultural expansion and urban development has fragmented remaining populations, while water pollution from industrial runoff and agricultural chemicals degrades the aquatic environments essential for this freshwater turtle's survival. The species' slow reproductive rate makes recovery extremely difficult once populations are depleted.

Threat summary

Habitat

This freshwater turtle inhabits slow-moving streams, ponds, and wetlands in subtropical regions of southern China and northern Vietnam. It prefers shallow waters with muddy or sandy bottoms and abundant aquatic vegetation, often found in agricultural landscapes near rice paddies and fish ponds.

Forest· majorMarine neritic· major

Conservation measures underway

Species recoveryLegislationCompliance and enforcement

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Four-eyed Turtle classified as Critically Endangered?
Four-eyed Turtle is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Sacalia quadriocellata faces severe population decline primarily due to intensive collection for the traditional medicine trade and food markets across China and Vietnam. Habitat degradation from agricultural expansion and urban development has fragmented remaining populations, while water pollution from industrial runoff and agricultural chemicals degrades the aquatic environments essential for this freshwater turtle's survival. The species' slow reproductive rate makes recovery extremely difficult once populations are depleted.
Where does Four-eyed Turtle live?
Four-eyed Turtle occurs in China, Laos, and Vietnam. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Four-eyed Turtle?
The main threats to Four-eyed Turtle are 5.3, 5.4, 7.2, and ai-1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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