Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Chinese Softshell Turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) - Uncertain Risk

Species that are considered uncertain risk need a more in-depth assessment beyond the Risk Summary to better define the species’ risk to U.S. environments.

Pelodiscus sinensis is a freshwater softshell turtle native to East Asia. It is widely traded due to its culinary and medicinal value in Asian cultures; because of this, it has been introduced in multiple locations. Despite introductions of this species in the eastern U.S., it is currently only established in Hawaii. P. sinensis has a high climate match with the contiguous United States. The United States is at risk of further introductions of P. sinensis due to its economic value, but a lack of documented effects from introductions of this species results in an overall risk assessment category of uncertain.