Horse-hoof Softshell Turtle

The Huangshan softshell turtle, or horse-hoof softshell turtle, is a softshell turtle of the family Trionychidae endemic to China, found only in southern Anhui Province in the Huangshan range (The Reptile Database; Wikipedia, general species account).

Until 2021 its populations were treated as part of the widespread Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis), although local folk songs and poems had long described a separate 'horse-hoof softshell turtle' (mǎ tí biē) in the Huangshan range. It is restricted to clear, fine-sand rivers near the source of the Qiantang River and is only about as large as a horse's hoof. Habitat destruction and overhunting have reduced its population, and captive breeding has been successful. (Wikipedia, general species account)