A Detailed Guide to Selecting and Raising the Chinese Striped-neck Turtle
The pearl turtle, scientific name Mauremys sinensis (Chinese stripe-necked turtle), also known as the Taiwan grass turtle, is widely distributed in the tropical regions of southern China, such as Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Taiwan, China, and other places. Nowadays, the pearl turtle is kept as a pet by many people. So, how do you select a pearl turtle? How do you raise a pearl turtle?
I. How to Select a Pearl Turtle
1. To select a healthy turtle, you need to look at its reaction speed. First, pull its legs; they should retract and extend with strength, not limp and soft. Then turn it over with the plastron (belly) facing up, and see how quickly it flips itself back over.
2. Look at the skin, and check whether there are any whitened or swollen areas. If there are, do not take it, as this is skin rot. Gently press every part of the turtle's plastron and see whether it quickly extends its legs and head. If it does, that indicates it is feeling pain, which means it has plastron rot, also called shell rot.
3. Check whether the turtle's nose and mouth are secreting white foam or mucus. If so, it has a cold. Then see whether the turtle opens its mouth to breathe. If it frequently opens its mouth to breathe, it has pneumonia. After ruling out these illnesses, look at how lively the turtle is; generally, healthy turtles are quite lively.
II. How to Raise a Pearl Turtle?
1. Raising Environment
The pearl turtle is a tropical turtle species that likes sun and light, so if conditions allow, it can be kept outdoors with plenty of sunlight. If it is kept indoors for a long time, or the temperature is relatively low, a heating rod needs to be provided. In addition, when raising pearl turtles, it is best to add some climbing objects in the water.
2. Food
Young pearl turtles can be fed dried small shrimp, fish meat, or special turtle food. Adult pearl turtles like to eat vegetables, such as leaf lettuce, romaine lettuce, and cauliflower, all of which can be fed to them. Keep green vegetables in the adult pearl turtle's pool at all times, which can reduce the amount of turtle food given; feeding two to three times a week is sufficient.