What breeds of edible turtles are there? A detailed introduction to common species
Nowadays many wild game dishes have appeared on dining tables, and turtle meat is one of them. Turtle meat is very rich in protein, fat and other nutrients, and its nutritional value is very high. But there are so many kinds of turtles, and many of them are protected animals, so which turtles can be farmed and eaten? Today I will introduce them to you!
1. Red-eared slider
The red-eared slider, also known as the Brazilian red-eared turtle, has both medicinal and edible value. It is low in price and has a fresh, bright and beautiful appearance, making it one of the first choices for farmers to breed and sell. This has made it the most numerous reptile food species in the world. So it is the most common kind of edible turtle. It is native to the Americas, but because of its extremely strong adaptability, it has invaded every continent, and it rarely gets sick, so it has been listed as one of the 100 most dangerous invasive species in the world.
2. Chinese pond turtle
The Chinese pond turtle, also known as the golden-threaded turtle, is one of the most common turtle species in China. Its whole body is ink black, and its belly is brownish yellow. It is an omnivore; when young it leans toward meat, and as an adult it leans toward plants. Its carapace is relatively flat, with three longitudinal lines on the shell. Unlike the red-eared slider, it mainly lives in Asia. Its meat has extremely high medicinal value, can relieve fatigue and soothe the muscles and bones, and its flesh is delicious, making it a turtle species that many people like to eat.
3. Pearl river turtle
The pearl river turtle, like the Chinese pond turtle, mainly grows in Asia. Its head is relatively small, the top of the head is smooth, and the shell has yellow lines passing along the sides of the head, with at least 6 lines. Its plastron can be taken as medicine; for artificially farmed ones, they are mostly caught in summer, euthanized, the body taken out, washed clean and then dried in the sun for use. It has the effects of nourishing yin and tonifying yang and reducing fever, and also has very significant therapeutic effects on sore waist and backache, migraine and cough.
4. Snapping turtle
The snapping turtle is the oldest living reptile, retaining the ancient form of turtles. Because it looks very similar to a crocodile, it is called the snapping turtle. It mainly lives in North America and is extremely aggressive; its teeth can bite through an adult's finger. It has abundant meat, a high meat yield, fast growth, and delicious flesh with no off-flavor. Moreover, because it looks different from other turtles, with protruding spikes on its back, its ornamental value is also extremely high.
The above are several relatively common species of edible turtles. When choosing breeds for farming, everyone should note that they must not choose nationally protected animals. Privately farming and selling nationally protected animals requires bearing legal responsibility. Among them, the snapping turtle and the Chinese pond turtle are also quite commonly kept as pet turtles. Everyone can choose breeds according to market trends.