ZooWeird 10

A doggerel series about odd or little-known animals.

Cantor's giant softshell turtle (also known as Asian giant softshell turtle) is a fresh water turtle that used to inhabit India, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Sumatra, Borneo, and western Java. However, for the past decade, sightings have only reported in Laos. It was last seen in the Cambodian wild in 2003.

The species inhabits slow-moving fresh water streams and rivers. There are indications that its range may extend to coastal areas, as well. This strange looking turtle is named after Theodore Edward Cantor (1809–1860), a Danish physician, zoologist and botanist.

Read more: http://www.strangeanimals.info/2010/12/cantors-giant-softshell-turtle.html#ixzz4SAsFXdSq

As turtles go (which can be slow),

This fellow is a kind of whiz.

He’s very large (no damning charge)

But still so slow (as you must know).

But let’s salute this huge galoot,

This giant guy—then say good-bye!