Cuora flavomarginata evelynae
Japanese Name: ヤエヤマセマルハコガメ
Chinese Name: 八重山食蛇龜
English Name: Yaeyama Yellow-margined Box Turtle
Origin: Ishigaki, Iriomote
The Yaeyama Yellow-margined Box Turtle is a subspecies of the Yellow-margined Box Turtle, native to the Yaeyama Islands. Its population is declining due to habitat destruction and illegal collection. Since the 1970s, this species has also been found on Okinawa Island. However, individuals there are believed to be introduced, and it remains unclear whether they belong to the Yaeyama subspecies (C. f. evelynae), the nominate subspecies from China and Taiwan (C. f. flavomarginata), or hybrids of the two. Because of this uncertainty, turtles found on Okinawa Island cannot be released into the wild and must be kept in captivity for life.
※ Nationally designated Natural Monument of Japan; listed in CITES Appendix II.
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