Hold onto your shells because we have an exciting announcement: A newly discovered species of Turtles was found and they’re entirely local!
Say hello to the Philippine Box Turtle or Cuora philippinensis, a newly discovered species as fascinating as they are adorable. Roughly the size of your palm and rocking a uniquely colored shell, this Turtle was long mistaken for their more common cousin, the Southeast Asian Box Turtle or Cuora amboinensis.
Thanks to some dedicated herpetologists, a little curiosity, and a whole lot of shell-studying, this tiny reptile is finally getting their moment in the spotlight.
IT STARTS IN DAVAO
This all takes place at the green heart of Davao City, where the staff over at the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) first encountered these small but curious looking Turtles. At first glance, they look just like any other Southeast Asian Box Turtles, so it was case closed, right?
Well, not quite.
PEF’s team grew curious when they noticed that something was a bit off. These Turtles were smaller, had a slightly different shell shape, and their color wasn’t quite the same as that of the Southeast Asian Box Turtle.
So, they did what any responsible Turtle detective would do: They sent samples for DNA analysis and dove deep into morphological reviews where they checked every single nook and cranny of the Turtle’s body to determine what makes them different.
And guess what? The results came back with a twist: They weren’t Cuora amboinensis at all, just as they thought!
They were indeed a new species: Cuora philippinensis.
NEW SPECIES, NEW NAME
In 2023, after extensive research and genetic testing, the team confirmed that this Turtle was a whole new species entirely. They came up with a new name: Philippine Box Turtle (Cuora philippinensis), in honor of the animal’s local roots.
The big news was published in none other than the Herpetology Russian Journal, a leading scientific publication for reptile and amphibian studies. The Philippine Journal of Science also covered the discovery, solidifying the Turtle’s status in the academic world.
“It’s a big deal,” said Harold Kim Manla, forest restoration marketing officer for PEF. “We did DNA analysis, we reviewed the Turtles’ morphology, and all signs pointed to something unique. This is a new species – native to the Philippines.”
WHY THIS IS BIG
Beyond the scientific excitement, this discovery says something important about our islands: The Philippines truly is a biodiversity hotspot, bursting with wildlife found nowhere else in the world except here.
The fact that a new Turtle species was discovered in 2023 – when we think we’ve already found everything – reminds us just how special our forests are, because there’s always something new to be discovered.
The ALI-Davao Carbon Forest, where these Turtles live, is now being studied and protected more than ever. “There’s still a lot of Box Turtles there,” Manla shared. “They are currently free-roaming and this discovery sends a message that we Filipinos must take care of our forests and help create sanctuaries for our local wildlife.”
BUILT-IN DEFENSE MODE!
Box turtles are like nature’s transformers. When threatened, they can completely shut their shell like a hinged box, hence the name.
This clever defense trick makes them one of the few Turtles who can close themselves in, fully similar to shutting the door whenever threatened!
A REASON TO CARE
The discovery of the Philippine Box Turtle is more than a scientific footnote; it’s a call to action. It reminds us that the Philippines still has countless natural wonders waiting to be protected and maybe even discovered!
So next time you’re in Davao or hiking through one of our incredible forests anywhere in the Philippines, remember: You might just be walking alongside a national treasure… with a shell.
And now, the world knows they’re ours.
