Asian Leaf Turtle (Cyclemys dentata), also known as the Brown Stream Terrapin, is a medium-sized freshwater turtle recognized for its distinctive leaf-shaped carapace. The shell is brown to olive with radiating lines, resembling a dried leaf, an adaptation that provides excellent camouflage among forest floor litter and streambeds. Its plastron (underside) is typically yellowish with dark blotches, and juveniles display a serrated shell edge that smooths with age. Adults typically reach a carapace length of 25–30 cm. This species is known for its semi-aquatic lifestyle, spending time both in shallow streams and on land near forested areas.
Aggressive or Danger to Human? This species not aggressive toward humans and poses no danger. When threatened, it prefers to retreat into water or withdraw into its shell rather than bite or attack.
Population Status: Near Threatened (NT) Globally (Source: IUCN Red List).
Habitat and Habits: The species inhabits slow-moving forest streams, ponds, and swampy areas in tropical and subtropical regions of Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines. It is most active during the wet season and tends to rest under leaf litter or submerged roots. The Asian Leaf Turtle is omnivorous, feeding on aquatic plants, fruits, insects, mollusks, and carrion. Breeding typically occurs during the rainy season, with females laying small clutches of eggs in soft soil near water. Though adaptable, it is increasingly threatened by habitat destruction, pollution, and collection for the pet and food trade.