Big-headed Turtle - Myanmar

Kayan woman were referred to as “giraffe women” because of the practice of placing metal coils around their neck. As more coils were added, the neck appeared to stretch. The coils did not stretch the neck; they pressed the clavicle downwards to give the appearance of a longer neck. This practice has fallen into decline.

- - - - -

Platysternon megacephalum - The big-headed turtle is one of the few turtles unable to fully retract its head into the shell. To compensate, the top and sides of the head have a bony covering to serve as armor plating and the skull is made of solid bone. The upper and lower jaws are made of a hardened keratin material and used aggressively by the turtle when it must stand and fight. The big-headed turtle is protected by law, but populations are in decline because of the bushmeat trade.

Great Hornbill - Myanmar

Buceros bicornis - The great hornbill is native to Southern Asia. They range in size from 95 to 130 centimeters; females being slightly smaller. Their wingspan stretches from 150 to 170 centimeters. Aside from the massive beak, the most distinguished feature of the great hornbill is the casque, a hollow structure attached to the upper part of the beak where it joins the head. Both male and female have this feature, but the male’s casque is much larger. The purpose of the casque is not known.

- - - - -

The Irrawaddy River is formed by the confluence of the N'mai and Mali Rivers, both being fed by the glaciers of the Himalaya Mountains. The river flows from north to south for 2,170 kilometers and enters the Andaman Sea. The Irrawaddy has served as an important waterway for Myanmar since the early 16th century. The mouth of the river forms the Irrawaddy Delta, an important agricultural region able to produce a substantial portion of Myanmar’s rice. Two thirds of the delta is dedicated to growing rice.