The maple leaf turtle gets its name because its carapace resembles a maple leaf; it is a small semi-aquatic turtle species.

The maple leaf turtle, also known as the black-breasted leaf turtle, is a small semi-aquatic turtle species. It gets its name because its carapace is flat with a serrated rear edge, giving its overall outline a striking resemblance to a maple leaf. Although its name differs from the maple leaf duck by only one character, one is a reptile and the other is poultry, and the two are completely unrelated. The maple leaf turtle is mainly distributed in the humid woodlands of the mountainous areas of southern China, where it mostly moves about beneath the leaf litter near streams; its wild population is scarce.

In appearance, the maple leaf turtle's carapace is mostly brown, slightly raised in the middle, and its plastron is very dark in color, which is an important feature distinguishing it from most common turtles. Adults are generally only a little over ten cm in length, with a small head, slender limbs, and a relatively long tail. It is timid and easily disturbed, often hiding among rotting leaves and rock crevices during the day, and is more active at dawn, dusk, and at night.

In terms of diet, the maple leaf turtle prefers animal-based foods such as earthworms, insects, and snails, and will also eat small amounts of soft fruits and vegetables. In captivity, it needs a high-humidity, well-ventilated environment with a shallow-water area and hiding places; the temperature should not be too high or too low, and the water should be changed regularly to keep it clean. It is relatively sensitive to environmental changes, and newly acquired individuals often need a long adaptation period, so disturbance should be minimized.

It should be noted that the maple leaf turtle is a key protected wild animal in China, and there are strict legal regulations on catching, buying, selling, and keeping it. Enthusiasts should learn about relevant information through proper channels and must not catch wild adults on their own. Protecting this little creature that resembles a maple leaf is, in fact, also part of protecting the mountain forest ecosystem.