What is the difference between the black-necked turtle and the Chinese pond turtle? A quick guide to telling them apart
There are quite many species of turtles, with very sturdy shells on their bodies; when attacked, a turtle can retract its head, tail and limbs into its shell. The black-necked turtle and the Chinese pond turtle are two common species. So, what is the difference between the black-necked turtle and the Chinese pond turtle?
1. What is the difference between the black-necked turtle and the Chinese pond turtle?
The black-necked turtle is relatively large in size, with a single longitudinal ridge on its carapace and no lateral ridges. Its snout projects slightly beyond the upper beak and slopes inward and downward. The bridge is wide, brown or dark brown, and distinctly different in color from the plastron; the Chinese pond turtle is elongated and oval, with a slightly raised carapace and three longitudinal ridges, with the vertebral ridge clearly visible. The top of the head is dark olive, the front skin is smooth, and the neck, limbs and exposed skin areas are grayish black or dark olive.
2. How do you raise turtles so they grow fast?
1. Food
The food turtles eat is relatively varied; ordinary green vegetables and meat are all fine, and of course fish is more to a turtle's liking, but the cost is also relatively high, so for friends who are usually busy with work and on a limited budget, buying special turtle feed from the market is more economical.
2. Container
Raising turtles also requires a dedicated container to make their daily activity convenient; it is best to buy a glass tank 30-55 wide, so you can observe its living habits more clearly, and for some young turtles, choosing a flat-bottomed container is more suitable.
3. Water level
We all know that turtles cannot grow without water, so how much water should be added to the container when raising them? Actually, adding water to a turtle's container is a very skilled task; the water should neither be too deep nor too little, and it is best to just cover its shell, so it can swim and crawl around in it without trouble. One more thing to note: the water in the container must be changed regularly, which can prevent the breeding of bacteria.
4. Light
Everyone should know how important light is to us, and a turtle's growth cannot do without light either; if light is lacking, turtles are prone to various diseases during growth, while appropriate light allows turtles to supplement calcium and grow and develop better.
In addition, turtles get through the winter by hibernating. They begin to enter hibernation below 15°C, and start feeding when the temperature rises above 16°C. Under normal circumstances, as long as the water temperature is not lower than 4°C, they can get through the winter safely.