What are the methods for raising baby golden coin turtles?

The golden coin turtle (Cuora trifasciata) is a precious animal resource, valuable in every part, and holds important significance and economic value in medicine, ornamental appreciation, craft production, food, and modern scientific research. So, how do you raise baby golden coin turtles?

The golden coin turtle is a national second-class key protected wild animal, which means it is a legally protected animal. If you keep one, you must apply to the local fisheries administrative department (such as the fisheries bureau) for a “License for Domestic Breeding of Aquatic Wild Animals” or enter into a joint operation with a large turtle farm; otherwise it constitutes illegal operation.

1. Build a good hatchling pond

The hatchling pond should be built indoors where there is good light, preferably a small cement pond. The hatchling pond should be 2~3 sq m in size, 30~40 cm deep, with the bottom sloping toward the south, and a water depth of 10~20 cm. At the northern end, the bottom should either be exposed above the water surface or have land built up, so that the baby turtles can come ashore to move around and eat.

2. Stocking density

Pay attention to the stocking density; generally about 30 hatchlings per square meter of water surface.

3. Feeding

The baby turtles' feed should be mainly small fish and shrimp. When feeding shrimp, pinch off the rostrum to avoid piercing the baby turtle's esophagus. In addition, you can also feed earthworms, insects, and lean meat. Place the feed on land so the baby turtles can climb ashore to eat. Feed 1~2 times a day, and half an hour after each feeding, remove the leftover feed. At this point, note: if a lot of feed remains, it means you fed too much and should reduce the amount next time; if no feed remains at all, it means you fed too little and should increase it appropriately next time; if only a tiny bit of feed remains on the feeding platform, it means the amount is just right.

4. Keep the water quality good

Hatchlings spend most of their time in water, and water quality is very important for their growth. Generally, pond water that is light green is best. Once the water turns dark green or gives off a bit of a foul smell, change the water promptly. When changing the water, first siphon out the dirty water at the bottom of the pond, then add clean water of the same temperature and volume. The amount of water changed is generally 1/3~1/2 of the total volume; if the pond water smells strongly, you can drain all the old water, scrub the pond clean, then add new water and return the hatchlings. When changing the water, be sure not to add well water or tap water directly; it is best to have a storage tank and add settled water of the same temperature.

5. Overwintering

After a period of rearing, as the weather enters autumn and winter, the temperature gradually drops, and the hatchlings stop eating and prepare to hibernate. At this point you need to think about overwintering the hatchlings. The golden coin turtle is less tolerant of low temperatures than the common turtle, so it must overwinter indoors. Choose a room with good insulation; when the temperature is around 15°C, move the baby turtles indoors and place them in a basin or other container, about 80 per square meter, with a water depth of about 10 cm. Throughout the winter, as long as the room temperature can be kept between 5~10°C without drastic changes, the baby turtles can generally overwinter safely. During overwintering, check once every 5~7 d to prevent the hatchlings from drying out and dying after the water in the basin evaporates.

If the scale of breeding is large, an indoor pond can be built for the golden coin turtles to overwinter. The pond water depth is about 0.5 m, with a 20 cm thick layer of sand on the bottom. Everything else is the same as the basin overwintering method.