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Definition of leaf turtle
leaf turtle
Plural:leaf turtles
• noun
1
Any of several small to medium-sized semi-aquatic or terrestrial turtles native to the forests and streams of Southeast Asia, characterized by a flattened, serrated, brownish shell that closely mimics a fallen leaf to provide camouflage against the forest floor.
Example
"The biologist carefully examined the damp leaf litter until she spotted the perfectly camouflaged leaf turtle resting near the stream."
• Nearby Words
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Leaf turtle. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 17, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/leaf%20turtle