It’s early morning in the Hainan Tropical Rainforest, and a local Keeled Box Turtle is beginning its daily adventure. This rare endangered species, a Class II protected species within China, survives in the wild through caution and patience.

A Keeled Box Turtle in the wild. Photo courtesy of the Discovering Mysteries Season 5 crew.

The Keeled Box Turtle is a species of turtle in the order Testudines. The turtle’s scientific name, Cuora mouhotii, honors Alexandre Henri Mouhot, a French naturalist and explorer. The lower shell, known as a plastron, has a ligament allowing movement. The main habitat for these turtles is mountainous areas and jungles. They have a diverse diet, and prefer warm temperatures to cold.

The head of a Keeled Box Turtle. Photo courtesy of the Discovering Mysteries Season 5 crew.

Keeled Box Turtles prefer rocky forest habitats, and spend a lot of time hidden in rock crevices. The turtle attempts to climb a rock in its path, but falls. This was a surprise, as this species is sharp-clawed, and prefers to live in this habitat. Undeterred, it tries again. Now, the turtle’s destination lies just ahead. Suddenly, something unexpected occurs. The falling fruit attracts nearby wild pigs. The turtle watches quietly, secure in its strong shell. The wild pigs notice the strange ‘rock’, but the two sides seem to have reached an unspoken agreement - they won’t bother each other.

A wild pig forages for something to eat. Photo courtesy of the Discovering Mysteries Season 5 crew.

The turtle takes a defensive position. Photo courtesy of the Discovering Mysteries Season 5 crew.

When the turtle sees the pigs leaving, it also decides to make an exit. Diving into deep grass, the turtle retreats to its shell once more, continuing to observe the surrounding environment. In the rainforest, survival often depends on the ability to remain silent and wait patiently. 

A Keeled Box Turtle moves through the rainforest. Photo courtesy of the Discovering Mysteries Season 5 crew.

The turtle climbs over an obstacle. Photo courtesy of the Discovering Mysteries Season 5 crew.