The Asian narrow-headed softshell turtle (Chitra chitra) is a large species of softshell turtle in the family Trionychidae. The species is endemic to Southeast Asia. There are two recognized subspecies.
Common names Chitra chitra is also known commonly as Nutaphand's narrowhead softshell. It is a name given in honor of Wirot Nutaphand, a Thai herpetologist who did taxonomy.Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. . ("Nutaphand's Narrowhead Softshell Chitra chitra", p. 192).
Description Chitra chitra can reach a straight carapace length of 4.9 ft (1.5 m).
Geographic distribution Chitra chitra is found in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.
Habitat Chitra chitra inhabits freshwater rivers and their tributaries.
Reproduction Chitra chitra is oviparous. Females reach sexually maturity at 15 years. Nutaphand (1986) reported that a large female laid over 100 eggs.
Subspecies Two subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.. www.reptile-database.org. Chitra chitra chitra – Malaysia, Thailand Chitra chitra javanensis – Java, Sumatra
In captivity The largest specimen of Chitra chitra in the world was a female named Sumo. She was a pet in the possession of Kittipong Jaruthanin, a Thai fish explorer and collector. She died in September 2023, aged more than 40 years.
References
Further reading
Nutaphand, Wirot (1986). "[Manlai, the world's largest soft-shelled turtle]" [Thai Zoological Magazine] 1 (4): [64–70]. (Chira chitra, new species). (in Thai).