How Do Chinese Striped-neck Turtles Overwinter? A Detailed Guide to Safe Overwintering Methods

The Chinese striped-neck turtle generally refers to the Chinese striped-neck turtle (Mauremys sinensis), also known as the spotted turtle, pearl turtle, long-tailed turtle, and Taiwan grass turtle. It is a freshwater turtle often kept as a pet.So how does the Chinese striped-neck turtle overwinter? And how is it usually kept?

1. How does the Chinese striped-neck turtle overwinter?

The Chinese striped-neck turtle gets through the winter by hibernating. Around November to April, when the temperature is below 15 degrees, the Chinese striped-neck turtle gradually stops eating and begins to enter hibernation. Even during hibernation, the Chinese striped-neck turtle cannot leave the water, otherwise it will get sick or die from dehydration.

2. How is the Chinese striped-neck turtle kept?

1. Choosing a hatchling

It is best to start keeping one from a hatchling, or choose a turtle with a carapace under 10cm, as there is more room for growth this way.

2. Water quality

The Chinese striped-neck turtle has relatively high water quality requirements. If tap water is used directly for keeping it, it is prone to skin rot, shell rot and other conditions, so it is best to let tap water sit in the sun for more than 2 days. Also, when the weather is clear, let the turtle bask in the sun more.

3. Feeding

Feeding is also very important. You can mainly feed more shrimp, which helps develop the red shell of the Chinese striped-neck turtle. The astaxanthin in shrimp is the reason why some animals such as salmon and flamingos appear red. You can use dried shrimp, and if conditions allow, you can also raise black-shell shrimp yourself for the Chinese striped-neck turtle to hunt on its own.

Appropriately providing some color-enhancing turtle food is also a viable method. Color-enhancing turtle foods such as Tetra may perhaps be somewhat helpful for developing the red shell of the Chinese striped-neck turtle.

4. Lighting

Frequent sunbathing is good for the turtle's health, and at the same time can effectively prevent skin rot and shell rot. Regularly receiving sunlight can allow pigment to settle in the turtle's carapace, making the shell color increasingly close to its original wild state.