Burmese Peacock Softshell Turtle

Nilssonia formosa, or the Burmese peacock softshell turtle, is a rare and beautiful freshwater turtle species that originates in Myanmar and may be seen in neighbouring countries like Thailand. This turtle prefers to live on sandy or muddy bottoms in rivers, streams, and freshwater lakes where the water moves slowly. Because it needs food and a place to lay its eggs, the environment it chooses is vital to its survival. This kind of turtle is one of the most aesthetically pleasing in its area due to the beautiful peacock patterns that cover its carapace.

In order to adapt to life in water, Nilssonia formosa has unique and specialised morphological traits. With its flattened, leathery carapace, the Burmese peacock softshell is more streamlined and flexible than the hard-shelled turtles, giving it an advantage while swimming. The carapace, which is usually brown or olive in colour, has patterns and patches that look like peacock feathers, which is whence the term "peacock" comes from. The underside of the shell, known as the plastron, is often a lighter shade of white or pale yellow to blend in with the riverbed when seen from below.