(Siebenrock, 1903a)
Four-eyed turtle
Recognition
The carapace (to 14.5 cm) has a low medial keel, vertebrals that are broader than long, and it is brown with some dark flecks or speckles. The plastron and bridge are salmon-pink with many dark flecks or dashes. The plastral formula is abd > an > pect > fem > hum >< gul. The head is dark brown or black with no dark flecks. Four dark centered ocelli are present on the back of the head with the anterior pair as prominent as the posterior pair. The jaws are dark brown, and the chin pink or reddish. Three longitudinal light stripes extend backward from the head along the dorsal surface of the head. Forelimbs with pink or red pigment on the anterior scales.
Sexual dimorphism as in S. bealei.
Distribution
S. quadriocellata occurs in western Guangdong and eastern Guangxi provinces, and Hainan Island, China, and central Vietnam and Laos (Iverson and McCord, 1992a).
Geographic Variation
Unknown; Artner and De Bruin are currently studying variation within S. quadriocellata.
Habitat
This species prefers streams and small brooks in woodlands of moderate altitude (100-400 m).
Natural History
Two to six, white, elongated, brittle-shelled eggs constitute a clutch (Pope, 1935). Captives eat fruits (apples, bananas, oranges, grapes, watermelon), romaine lettuce, and fish.
IUCN Red List Status (1996)
Vulnerable (B1+2c).