What is the difference between pond-raised Chinese pond turtles and greenhouse Chinese pond turtles?

Now terms like greenhouse Chinese pond turtle and pond-raised Chinese pond turtle are appearing before the eyes of turtle-keeping enthusiasts. So do you know the difference between pond-raised Chinese pond turtles and greenhouse Chinese pond turtles? Let's take a look below.

1. Differences in growth environment

1. Greenhouse Chinese pond turtle: a Chinese pond turtle raised in an artificial greenhouse on feed, living in a constant-temperature environment with no hibernation, but lacking sufficient sunlight; generally a growth promoter is added to the feed.

2. Pond-raised Chinese pond turtle: a turtle that has hatched is raised in a greenhouse for one year, then transferred to an outdoor pond designed to mimic the wild environment. It eats feed just like greenhouse turtles, and also eats other foods; food is abundant, it hibernates, and it gets sufficient sunlight.

2. Lifestyle

1. Greenhouse Chinese pond turtle: grown in a greenhouse kept at a constant temperature within the range of 25-30°C, with feed given continuously all year round. The growing temperature is suitable, so greenhouse turtles maintain a relatively high metabolism; the feed also contains growth promoters, so they grow very quickly.

2. Pond-raised Chinese pond turtle: in the first year after birth the pond-raised Chinese pond turtle is relatively fragile and hard to keep alive, so it is raised in a greenhouse, then put into an outdoor pond for rough, low-input rearing. It is fed feed or small fish. The growing environment mimics that of wild Chinese pond turtles; food is abundant, and its growth rate is slower than that of greenhouse Chinese pond turtles.

3. Appearance

1. Color: because greenhouse Chinese pond turtles grow relatively quickly and pigment deposition is slower than their growth rate, the color of the carapace is relatively light, and some even have a grayish-white tint. The carapace of pond-raised Chinese pond turtles is relatively dark, generally reddish-brown or brown.

2. Shell thickness: greenhouse turtles grow relatively quickly and can grow quite large in a short time, so the shell of a greenhouse turtle is relatively thin. Pond-raised turtles are relatively thicker.

3. Shell texture: the shell of a pond-raised turtle is rougher than that of a greenhouse turtle. The shell of a greenhouse turtle is relatively smooth.

4. Gaps between scutes: because greenhouse turtles grow relatively quickly and lack sunlight, calcium synthesis in the carapace cannot keep up, so the gaps between the scutes are relatively large. Those of pond-raised turtles are relatively narrow, and the color is vivid.

The main differences between pond-raised turtles and greenhouse turtles are the aspects described above. I hope this can help the many turtle-keeping enthusiasts tell them apart.