6/21/2002: Baby soft-shelled turtle

Happy Friday. This is a two-week-old soft-shelled turtle in Thailand. The Thai are happy about the fact that this is the first one bred in captivity.

It's extremely rare. And that's what you might expect; the adults reach 450 pounds, so what you have there seems to be a massive beast with no natural protection. It probably also tough for them because the Chinese historically believe they are a source of male sexual potency.

You'd think the Chinese would want a hard-shelled turtle for that.

Has anyone kept a running tally of exactly how many endangered species the Chinese believe to be aids to potency?

It looks like a giant beetle, with circuitry etched on its back. Maybe the Thai are experimenting ...

Originally posted by Bitman
with circuitry etched on its back

Maybe it could also be seen as a symbol of geek potency.