Cuora yunnanensis
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
The Yunnan box turtle faces severe population decline primarily due to intensive collection for the traditional medicine trade and food markets across Asia. Habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development has fragmented remaining populations, while pollution from agricultural runoff degrades water quality in their aquatic habitats. The species' extremely limited range in Yunnan Province makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats.
Habitat
This semi-aquatic turtle inhabits shallow ponds, slow-moving streams, and wetlands in the subtropical montane regions of Yunnan Province, China. It prefers areas with dense aquatic vegetation and muddy substrates, typically at elevations between 1,200-2,000 meters.
