Pan's box turtle (Cuora pani) is a species of turtle in the family Geoemydidae (formerly Bataguridae). The yellow-headed box turtle is sometimes included herein as a subspecies (Cuora pani aurocapitata). The Pan's box turtle is a highly endangered species on the verge of extinction. Each catch of the Pan's box turtle rewards upwards of $10,000 per trade (Turtle Conservancy, 2017).

Etymology

The specific name, pani, is probably in honor of Chinese herpetologist Pan Lei. The common name, Pan's box turtle, refers to its ability to seal itself within its shell.

Geographic range

Cuora pani pani, the nominotypical subspecies, is endemic to the central Chinese provinces of Shaanxi, Sichuan, and Hubei (Blanck & Tang, 2005).