How Big Can a Softshell Turtle Grow? A Detailed Guide to the Maximum Weight of Adult Softshell Turtles

The softshell turtle, also known as the Chinese softshell turtle, tuanyu, wangba and so on, is an amphibious reptile. Softshell turtles have very long lifespans and grow very quickly, so how big can a softshell turtle grow?

1. How big can a softshell turtle grow?

The carapace of an adult softshell turtle can grow to 19-35 cm in length and 14-25 cm in width. Under conditions of sufficient feed and good management, a newly hatched juvenile softshell turtle has a carapace length of about 3 cm and weighs 3.5 grams. By the end of the year, the carapace length is about 4 cm and the weight is 6.5 grams. By the end of the second year, the carapace length is about 8.5 cm and the weight is 95 grams. In the third year, the carapace length is about 12 cm and the weight is 225 grams. By the end of the fourth year, the carapace length is about 16 cm and the weight is 450 grams.

2. How are softshell turtles farmed?

1. To raise softshell turtles well, you must first choose a good location for the pond. The construction work should be carried out on a plot of land that is free of pollution and has convenient access to power and water supply. Of course, abandoned ponds can also be used, such as ponds previously used for raising fish or poultry, for the construction. Once the pond location is chosen, the construction work can begin.

2. After the pond site is chosen, machinery should be used to dig out the preliminary shape of the pond. The breeding pond must have 30 percent land area, and the remaining water depth should be controlled at about 1 m to 1.5 m. After the breeding pond is dug, it should be dried in the sun for 5 to 7 days, then lime should be used to disinfect the bottom of the pond, and then livestock manure should be used to fertilise it. This can increase the amount of plankton in the pond. After fertilising the pond, fill it with water. Before filling with water, check that the inlet and outlet are wrapped with gauze so that debris does not flow into the pond, and check the outlet to prevent seepage and leakage. Once everything is done, just fill it with water.

3. Softshell turtle seedlings can be ordered from large, legitimate farms. Choose seedlings that are strong, have good swimming ability and a strong appetite. After purchase, the seedlings should be transported promptly. During transport, net cages should be used, and protective measures should be taken to reduce deaths caused by transport. After the seedlings are transported back to the pond, they should be held temporarily for 2 to 3 days, raising a small number of softshell turtle seedlings in the pond water. If no abnormalities appear during the temporary holding stage, large-scale stocking can begin.

4. The daily management of softshell turtles mainly involves controlling water quality well and checking inside and outside the pond. The water transparency in the breeding pond should be controlled at 30 cm to 35 cm. If the transparency in the pond is relatively low, the softshell turtles will develop many diseases, affecting the growth of the seedlings, so the water should be changed once every 15 to 20 days to ensure the transparency of the pond water. In addition, inspection work should be done well, and protective measures around the pond must be in place to prevent danger from natural enemies, mainly to prevent problems such as rodent damage and reduce accidental deaths of the softshell turtles.

5. Softshell turtles are omnivorous animals. They mainly eat animal offal, small fish, small shrimp, vegetables, fruit, wheat bran, rice bran and complete feed, which are mixed and then fed to them. Note that softshell turtles forage in the wild and eat relatively little during the day, so feeding twice a day is enough, at 8 p.m. When feeding, use a light for illumination, and feed once more at 6 a.m. Pay attention to daily changes, and if problems arise, isolate and treat them promptly.