Japanese pond turtle
Refers specifically to the species Mauremys japonica, a freshwater turtle native to Japan.
ニホンイシガメは日本の固有種です。
The Japanese pond turtle is a species endemic to Japan.
あの池にはニホンイシガメがたくさんいる。
There are many Japanese pond turtles in that pond.
Katakana spelling is the most common written form for this species name.
Kanji spelling exists but is rarely used; the word is usually written in kana.
The name is composed of 日本 (Japan), 石 (stone), and 亀 (turtle), literally 'Japanese stone turtle'. The exact origin of the name is uncertain, but it likely refers to its habitat or shell appearance.