How to choose common turtle species? A detailed guide to practical selection methods

Turtle: The male should have a pitch-black shell, a thick and 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 only needs to have reached the age of gonadal maturity. The female-to-male 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, with even 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 wide. 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. The female-to-male ratio is 2:1.

Yellow pond turtle (Mauremys mutica): The eyes should be lively and bright in color, and the turtle should be active and fond of moving, with full and elastic limb muscles. When placed in deep water, the turtle 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. The female-to-male ratio is 2:1 to 3:1.

Big-headed turtle (Platysternon megacephalum): The appearance should be smooth, the response to external stimuli should be sensitive, the eyes should be lively, full and not sunken, and the limb muscles should be full and strong. When placed in water, it should be able to swim quickly and sink. It is best to choose turtles aged 5 to 6 years. The female-to-male ratio is 2:1.

Snapping turtle: The eyes should be 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 only needs to have reached the age of gonadal maturity. The female-to-male ratio is 2:1 to 3:1.

Golden-headed turtle: The eyes should be lively, with no white spots on the cornea, no blood at the mouth or nose, and no mucus secretion. When startled, it should be able to flee immediately. The feces should be in pellet form, 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. The female-to-male ratio is 2:1 to 3:1.

Giant tortoise: There should be no white spots or secretions on the eyeballs, the surface of the 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. The female-to-male ratio is 2:1 to 3:1.

Painted turtle: The body surface skin should be free of water mold, and the eyes should protrude outward but not be red or swollen. When the turtle is crawling on the bank and is startled, it should immediately enter the water or flee; after entering the water, it should sink to the bottom or swim 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. The female-to-male ratio is 2:1 to 3:1.