• “山瑞” can refer to softshell turtles in general. They are characterised by tumour-like or spinous growths on the neck.
• “山瑞” originated from Hainan island and the coastal areas of southeastern China and northern Vietnam, and were later introduced to Hawaii and Mauritius, among other places.
• These turtles have no teeth and rely on their sickle-like upper and lower jaws to break down their food.
• Many species of softshell turtles are edible. Consuming the meat is believed to confer health benefits. In Singapore, there are eateries that specialise in serving softshell turtle dishes such as turtle soup.
• Since December 2020, vendors in local wet markets have been prohibited from slaughtering and selling live softshell turtles and frogs due to public health concerns.

Since December last year, freshly slaughtered frogs and softshell turtles are no longer sold in local wet markets. (Lianhe Wanbao, 15/7/2021)

甲鱼 (Mainland China), 山瑞鳖 (Mainland China), 水鱼 (Malaysia)