Kingdom Animalia Order Testudines Superfamily Testudinoidea Scientific name Geoemyda japonica Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Suborder Cryptodira Family Geoemydidae Higher classification Geoemyda | |
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Similar Black‑breasted leaf turtle, Turtle, Quercus miyagii, Geoemyda, Reptile | ||
The Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle or Ryukyu leaf turtle, Geoemyda japonica, is a species of turtles in the family Geoemydidae (formerly Bataguridae) endemic to the Ryukyu Islands in Japan. In 1975, the species was designated a National Natural Monument of Japan. It grows to about 5–6 inches long. In captivity, it feeds on worms, snails, insects, and fruit. Due to its rarity and very attractive appearance, this species is highly coveted by turtle collectors worldwide.
At first it was considered a subspecies of Geoemyda spengleri, and named Geoemyda spengleri japonica. It was redescribed as a separate species and given its current binomial name in 1992.
Hybrids between different genera of Geoemydidae are rather commonplace. This species is known to hybridize with Cuora flavomarginata males in captivity and in the wild.
