What is the difference between a grass turtle and a stink turtle? A quick guide to tell them apart

Turtles are long-lived animals and also cute animals. Many people keep them as pets; their care is simple and does not require much effort. There are many kinds of turtles, and they look different too. So, what is the difference between a grass turtle and a stink turtle?

1. The difference between a grass turtle and a stink turtle

The stink turtle is a type of grass turtle. The grass turtle is also called the wu gui, golden-thread turtle, ink turtle, mud turtle, and so on, and is a freshwater turtle. The stink turtle refers to the black-necked turtle, also called the painted turtle, black-necked painted turtle, black-necked water turtle, three-lined turtle, Guangdong grass turtle, and so on. It is a rare turtle species. It has a black patch on top of its head with an obvious bumpy texture, and its body can give off a strange, foul odor. It is now a “new darling among turtles.”

2. Where does the stink turtle live?

The stink turtle (black-necked turtle) is distributed in Vietnam and in mainland China in places such as Guangdong and Guangxi, and mainly lives in streams in hilly and mountainous areas. It is fairly large in size, with the snout protruding slightly beyond the upper beak and slanting inward and downward; the bridge is wide, brown or dark brown, completely different from the color of the plastron, and the carapace has one longitudinal ridge and no lateral ridges.

3. Is the stink turtle a protected animal?

The stink turtle (black-necked turtle) is a protected animal and has been included in the “List of Terrestrial Wild Animals under State Protection That Are Beneficial or Have Important Economic or Scientific Research Value,” issued by the State Forestry Administration on August 1, 2000, referred to as the “Three Have List.”