Chinese Softshell Turtle

[ownu4free]

Hi people, i caught a few Chinese Softshell Turtle at bedok reservoir last time but i released them back. Is it legal to keep them in Singapore? it seems to be quite common in bedok reservoir.

[thePractce]

How did you catch them? And no they are not legal as far as I know. I think there was a ban a few years ago (not sure if the reason was that its endangered or it cause it can bite your finger off) but if you owned them before they imposed the ban then its legal, i think?

[ownu4free]

How did you catch them? And no they are not legal as far as I know. I think there was a ban a few years ago (not sure if the reason was that its endangered or it cause it can bite your finger off) but if you owned them before they imposed the ban then its legal, i think?

caught them using fishing rod while fishing. they took my bait which was prawn

[seudzar]

Actually, they are being sold as pet in some LFS, not sure if it's legal or not. But they are very small when in LFS, about size of a 50cent coin.

[mUAr_cHEe]

Is Green Tree Frogs legal?

[seudzar]

Last time I heard, yes, green tree frog is legal. Lol.

[Trichopsis]

Chinese Softshell Turtle can be sold for meat, which is why you will see them for sale in Sheng Siong and in some wet markets. They're supposed to slaughter it on the spot upon purchase though.

However, it's not listed as one of the species of turtles that can be sold as a pet here in Singapore. Only Red-eared Sliders and Malayan Box Turtles (with the appropriate CITES papers) can be sold as pets. But yes, even despite the ban, it's still possible to see very young Chinese Softshell Turtles for sale in some pet shops.

thePractce: What you're referring to is the Pig-nosed Turtle, which was imported in some numbers several years back, before the authorities started clamping down on the exotic pet trade.

And Australian Green Tree Frogs are perfectly legal to own as pets in Singapore.