How do you choose among eight types of turtles? Mastering these selection tips is important
Turtle: The male should have a blackish carapace, a thick, solid tail base, and a long, deep concave plastron; the female should have a short, thick body and a short, thick tail. It is best to choose turtles aged 8 years or older, with the female weighing 350 grams; the male need only have reached the age of gonadal maturity, and the male-to-female ratio is 2:1 to 3:1.
Golden coin turtle: When selecting, hold it in your hand and turn it over; its head will extend very long, be even in thickness, and its eyes will move flexibly and look lively. The skin is glossy, the temperament is docile, the gap between the upper and lower shells at the tail is large, and the cloacal opening is broad. Turtles aged 6 years or older are required, with the female weighing 1250 grams to 1500 grams and the male weighing 700 grams to 1000 grams, and the male-to-female ratio is 2:1.
Yellow pond turtle (Mauremys mutica): The eyes should look lively and be bright in color; it should be lively and active, and its limbs should be full and firm, with good elasticity. Place the turtle in deep water, and it should be able to sink. It is best to choose turtles aged 6 years or older, with the female weighing 400 grams and the male weighing 300 grams, and the male-to-female ratio is 2:1 to 3:1.
Big-headed turtle (Platysternon megacephalum): The appearance should be smooth, and it should react sensitively to external stimuli. The eyes should look lively, full, and not sunken. The limbs should be full and strong, and when placed in water it should be able to swim quickly and sink. It is best to choose turtles aged 5 to 6 years, and the male-to-female ratio is 2:1.
Alligator snapping turtle: The eyes should look lively, the head and neck should extend and retract freely, the appearance should be neat and glossy, and the limbs should be thick and plump. Turtles aged 3 years are preferred, with the female weighing 1000 grams; the male need only have reached the age of gonadal maturity, and the male-to-female ratio is 2:1 to 3:1.
Golden-headed turtle: The eyes should look lively, with no white spots on the cornea, and no blood or mucus secretion from the mouth and nose. After being startled, it should be able to flee immediately. The feces should be in pellet form and wrapped in a white membrane. It is best to choose turtles aged 5 to 6 years, with the female weighing 450 grams and the male weighing 280 grams, and the male-to-female ratio is 2:1 to 3:1.
Giant tortoise: There should be no white spots or secretions on the eyeballs, the surface of the turtle's tongue should be pink with no white patches, and the feces should be long, cylindrical, dark green or white and toothpaste-like. The turtle should weigh more than 800 grams, and the male-to-female ratio is 2:1 to 3:1.
Painted turtle: The body surface skin should have no water mold, and the eyes should protrude outward but not be red or swollen. After the turtle crawls on the bank and is startled, it will immediately enter the water or flee; after entering the water, it sinks to the bottom or swims in the water. The limbs should be full, and when the turtle's legs are pulled by hand, they should feel strong and retract inward. It is best to choose turtles aged 4 to 5 years, with the female weighing more than 1000 grams and the male weighing more than 300 grams, and the male-to-female ratio is 2:1 to 3:1.