How to Choose Among 8 Major Turtle Species? A Detailed Guide to Practical Selection Tips

Turtle (Chinese pond 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; the female should weigh 350 grams, while 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 should be glossy, the temperament gentle, the gap between the upper and lower shells at the tail large, and the cloacal opening wide. Turtles aged 6 years or older are required; the female should weigh 1250 grams to 1500 grams, the male should weigh 700 grams to 1000 grams, and the female-to-male 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, with full, elastic muscles in the limbs. When placed in deep water, the turtle should be able to sink. It is best to choose turtles aged 6 years or older; the female should weigh 400 grams, the male should weigh 300 grams, and 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 quick, the eyes should look lively, full and not sunken, the limb muscles should be full and strong, and when placed in water it should be able to swim rapidly and sink. It is best to choose turtles aged 5 to 6 years, and the female-to-male ratio is 2:1.

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 fleshy. Turtles aged 3 years are preferred; the female should weigh 1000 grams, while 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 look lively, with no white spots on the cornea, no blood at the mouth or nose, and no mucus secretion; when startled, it should immediately flee; the feces should be in pellets wrapped in a white membrane. It is best to choose turtles aged 5 to 6 years; the female should weigh 450 grams, the male should weigh 280 grams, and 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 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 female-to-male ratio is 2:1 to 3:1.

Painted turtle: The body surface skin should have no water mold, and the eyes should bulge outward but not be red or swollen. After the turtle climbs onto 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, and the limbs should be full. When pulling the turtle's legs by hand, they should feel strong and retract inward. It is best to choose turtles aged 4 to 5 years; the female should weigh more than 1000 grams, the male should weigh more than 300 grams, and the female-to-male ratio is 2:1 to 3:1.