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Beale's Eyed Turtle | Ocean Park Hong Kong

Reptiles

Beale's Eyed Turtle

Scientific Name

Sacalia bealei

Other Common Name(s)

Eye-spotted Turtle, Beal's-eyed Turtle

Body Weight

Up to 400 g

Body Length

Carapace: up to 18 cm

Silhouette of a small turtle next to a human hand for size comparison.

A turtle with a patterned shell and head on a rocky surface.

Habitat

Streams and the forests nearby

Diet

Insects, fruits and seeds

Fun Facts

Beale's eyed turtles have eye-like spots behind their heads that can confuse predators. These eye spots are more prominent in females than in males.
After eating fruit, Beale's eyed turtles help forests near riverbanks thrive by dispersing seeds through their droppings.

Small turtle with a dark, shiny shell partially hiding its head on wood chips and leaves.

Close-up of a turtle with a dark patterned head and shell, among rocks underwater.

Distribution

Southeast China, including Guangxi, Guangdong, Fujian, Anhui, Guizhou, and Jiangxi. Native to Hong Kong.

Threats & Conservation

Threats

Urbanisation & Infrastructure
Overexploitation of Biological Resources
Invasive Species & Diseases
Pollution

Experts estimate that fewer than 100 adult Beale's eyed turtles remain in the wild in Hong Kong, yet this may already be one of the last surviving populations in Southern China. Not only are the habitats of local freshwater turtles being destroyed by human activities, but they are also targeted by poachers who use illegal traps to capture them for the pet trade. Furthermore, other turtles abandoned by citizens in the wild in Hong Kong include many invasive species that compete for resources with local freshwater turtles.

Conservation

IUCN Red List

Endangered

Red List of China's Biodiversity

Critically Endangered

CITES

Appendix II

Conservation Regulations

Chinese Wildlife Conservation Law: Category 2
Protected under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170) and the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) in Hong Kong

Ocean Park's Conservation Efforts

The Park has been breeding this endangered species since 2018 with the goal of eventually releasing them into the wild to help restore their populations. Furthermore, the Park hosted the Planning Workshop for the Integrated Conservation of the Beale's Eyed Turtle in 2024 and the 1st International Conference on Integrated Conservation of Asian Turtles in 2026, inviting experts to discuss future conservation strategies for the Beale's Eyed Turtles and other freshwater turtles.

Animal Breeding in Ocean Park

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