A Detailed Guide to Soft-Shelled Turtle Breeding Techniques: Scientific Methods and Management Key Points

The soft-shelled turtle, scientifically known as Pelodiscus sinensis (Chinese softshell turtle), is an amphibious reptile with strong adaptability and resistance to poor environments and diseases. It is a longevity champion of the animal kingdom, possessing clever protective coloration that makes it difficult for hostile animals to detect. It is an omnivorous animal that eats both plants and animals. Artificial breeding can greatly increase the hatching rate, shorten the incubation period, and provide an ample supply of seedlings for artificially bred soft-shelled turtles.

Breeding Habits of Soft-Shelled Turtles

The soft-shelled turtle is an oviparous animal. Its eggs hatch without parental protection, and the incubation period is long. Soft-shelled turtles mostly lay eggs between mid-April and October. One soft-shelled turtle can lay eggs 3 to 4 times a year, and after 50 days, the young turtles will break out of their shells.

The incubation temperature for soft-shelled turtles has 29°C as the threshold. Below this temperature, the hatchlings tend to develop into females, while when the temperature is above 29°C, with a certain chemical inducer added, the male rate of hatched soft-shelled turtles reaches 77.03%.

Breeding Techniques for Soft-Shelled Turtles

1. Making the incubation box: Pine wood is preferred for making the incubation box. It not only has an insecticidal effect, but also does not easily rot after absorbing moisture and does not breed mold, so it will not affect the air permeability and water filtration of the incubation sand. The specifications of the incubation box are generally 80 cm long, 50 cm wide, 40 cm high at the front, and 60 cm high at the back, with the upper opening slanted. Drill 2-3 drainage holes in the bottom of the box to facilitate the drainage of excess water out of the box during incubation. To make it easier to observe the incubation status inside the box, the top cover and front baffle of the box can be fitted with flat glass, which can be used after disinfection.

2. Selection of sand for incubation: In soft-shelled turtle breeding, pure river sand and pure medium sand (sand diameter 1.43-1.5 mm) produce the best results for incubation sand, because their uniform particle size and good air permeability allow for relatively uniform moisture content, oxygen supply, and heat conduction during incubation. The selected sand particles should be disinfected by sun exposure, boiling, or bleaching powder before use. Before use, its moisture content must also be tested, because sand moisture is an important factor determining the hatching rate. Generally, the “hand-squeeze sand test” can be used to determine its moisture level. That is, squeeze wet sand tightly in your hand; if no water drips from between your fingers, and after releasing your hand the wet sand forms a clump, then lightly drop the sand clump and it breaks apart upon landing, this indicates that its moisture content is about 5-12%, and it can be put into the box for incubation. If you squeeze the wet sand tightly in your hand and water drips from between your fingers, or if the sand does not form a clump after you release your hand, this indicates that the moisture is too high or too low, and it cannot be used.

3. Laying of sand and eggs: In soft-shelled turtle breeding, the bottom layer of the incubation box is laid from bottom to top with coarse pebbles (pebble diameter 0.5-1 cm), coarse sand (sand diameter 2-3 mm), and medium sand, each 3-5 cm. Then place 2-3 layers of fertilized eggs, preferably with the white spot (animal pole) facing upward, with about 1 cm between eggs, and arrange the upper and lower layers in a staggered triangular pattern. On top of the eggs, lay 5 cm of medium sand and then 1-2 cm of fine sand in sequence; the fine sand is mainly used to maintain moisture and prevent water from evaporating too quickly. On top of the fine sand, place a towel, and spray water onto the towel to keep the humidity inside the box uniform.

4. Storage of the incubation box: In soft-shelled turtle breeding, the incubation box can be stored indoors where the temperature is relatively stable, the environment is quiet, and management is convenient, such as in a plastic greenhouse; if there are only 1 or 2 boxes, they can also be placed in a residential room. After the eggs and sand are placed in the box, a water trough should be installed inside the box along the left and right edges at a slope to the sand surface, so that newly hatched young turtles can play in the water on their own. To prevent ants and other small insects from harming the turtle eggs, place a large tray at the bottom of the box, fill the tray with water, and use water to seal off the bottom and surroundings of the box. Under conditions that do not affect temperature changes, ventilation should be maximized and indoor light should be increased.

Breeding Management of Soft-Shelled Turtles

1. Strictly control the moisture content of the sand bed. If the sand bed is too wet or too dry, it directly affects incubation and the survival rate. Generally, the hatching rate is highest when the humidity is 80%-85%, so its moisture level should be checked regularly and water should be sprayed in a timely manner to maintain moisture.

2. Try to maintain a stable incubation temperature. The suitable temperature is 25-36°C, and the hatching rate is highest at 30±3°C. If the temperature fluctuation during incubation exceeds the suitable range, use electric fans, stoves, and other means to adjust the temperature as much as possible.

3. The water used for incubation should be fresh, non-toxic, harmless, and pollution-free. The temperature of the sprayed water should be equal or close to the temperature of the sand bed. Never use water that is too cold or hot water above 36°C.

4. In soft-shelled turtle breeding, prevent harmful organisms such as ants and mice from invading and damaging the fertilized eggs or young turtles.

5. In soft-shelled turtle breeding, after the young turtles hatch, let them move freely in the sand tray for about 2 hours. After they shed the embryonic serous membrane and umbilical cord from their bodies, spray them with water, disinfect them, and place them into the rearing pond.