What are the identification methods for the Vietnamese golden coin turtle?
The Vietnamese stone turtle belongs to the Vietnamese subspecies of the yellow-margined box turtle (Mauremys mutica), mainly distributed in Vietnam and the areas where Guangxi meets Vietnam. In the Guangdong area it is also called the Vietnamese golden coin turtle. Its meat is delicious and it is a raw material for Guilinggao (turtle jelly). It is one of the more expensive types of yellow-margined turtle. The medicinal value of the Vietnamese stone turtle is close to that of the golden coin turtle. Let us now take a look at the identification methods for the Vietnamese golden coin turtle!
Appearance identification
Most Vietnamese golden coin turtles have a brown-black shell tinged with a beautiful apple red, while a small number have an apple-red shell mixed with brown-black. But whether brown-black or apple red, there is always a black vertebral keel extending from the front of the shell all the way to the rear. The plastron is wax-yellow with a faint pink, and clearly defined black markings appear in a radiating pattern, with the radiating lines pointing toward the center of the plastron.
Head identification
The head of the Vietnamese golden coin turtle is brown-copper-black and has a fairly obvious triangular shape. The top of the head is irregularly dotted with small black specks. The yellow markings behind the eyes are surrounded by black lines, so the facial markings are very distinct.
Eye identification
The pupil of the Vietnamese golden coin turtle is linear, like a black line stringing together a black pearl, resembling a cat's pupil in daytime.
Weight identification
Adult Vietnamese golden coin turtles weigh 3 jin or more. This is a standard that many people easily overlook, and it results from Vietnam's geographical and climatic environment.