What is the difference between a snapping turtle and a Chinese pond turtle?

The Chinese pond turtle, also known as the turtle, is an omnivorous animal belonging to the subfamily Emydinae, genus Mauremys. Today we introducethe difference between the snapping turtle and the Chinese pond turtle.

1. The difference between the snapping turtle and the Chinese pond turtle

The snapping turtle is far more aggressive than the Chinese pond turtle. The snapping turtle requires deep-water rearing, while the Chinese pond turtle does not. The snapping turtle grows faster than the Chinese pond turtle and also grows larger than the Chinese pond turtle.

2. The morphology of the Chinese pond turtle

The Chinese pond turtle has a relatively flat carapace with three longitudinal keels. The plastron is brownish-yellow, and each scute has large dark brown patches. The snout is short. The sides of the head and the throat have yellow stripes and yellow spots edged in dark color, extending backward to the neck. After reaching adulthood, males turn black all over, differing greatly from females. The body color of female Chinese pond turtles generally remains unchanged throughout life, and their body size is also slightly larger than that of male turtles of the same age.

3. How the Chinese pond turtle reproduces

At five years of age the Chinese pond turtle enters sexual maturity (that is, the Chinese pond turtle must be raised for about 5 years before it can lay eggs). Every year in mid-April, male and female Chinese pond turtles mate in the water. Females lay eggs between May and August. Each female lays eggs three to four times a year, with five to seven eggs each time. The female lays the eggs in sandy soil not far from the water's edge. After fifty to eighty days of natural incubation, the hatchlings emerge from their shells, can enter the water, and live on their own. The Chinese pond turtle can grow to about 23 cm in length. The average lifespan is fifty years. Compared with other common turtles, the Chinese pond turtle grows relatively slowly and its body size is also relatively much smaller.

4. The current status of the snapping turtle species

The habits of snapping turtles are to feed on algae and benthic animals. But they must never be kept mixed with gentle or small fish. If they reproduce in large numbers, they will devour the eggs of other fish, leading to the extinction of other fish. In China they have no natural enemies. They must not be released into the wild.

Snapping turtle meat is delicate in texture and delicious in taste, and is a high-grade natural health product that is high in protein and amino acids and low in cholesterol and calories. The snapping turtle combines food, ornamental, and medicinal uses in one, and its economic value greatly exceeds that of other turtles.