What are the methods to prevent alligator snapping turtles from killing each other
In 1996, China introduced two species of alligator snapping turtles from the United States: one is the small alligator snapping turtle and the other is the large alligator snapping turtle. They are famous for their high reproduction rate, fast growth, high meat yield and tender, delicious meat. At present, they have been favored by many farmers and loved by consumers, and feed promotion has already been carried out in many regions, with very considerable economic benefits. However, under artificial high-density rearing conditions, due to their nature and causes such as environment, feed and mating, individuals of the same species fight each other and attack those that come near, causing unnecessary losses. Since 1996, the author has trial-raised these two species of alligator snapping turtles, and in the practice of rearing, domestication and breeding has summed up some experience in preventing them from killing each other, which is introduced below.
I. Male-female pairing must be appropriate
Like roosters, alligator snapping turtles have a fighting habit. Females are gentler, but this habit is also seen in them. In artificial rearing ponds, the ratio of males to females should preferably be 1:2-3. If there are too many males, they will inevitably fight each other over mates. Males and females can also be raised in separate ponds, combined during the estrus and mating season, and then raised separately again after the mating period ends. This can reduce fighting.
II. Do not introduce and raise wild turtles
After several generations of artificial domestication, the wild nature of animals can turn gentle. Like lions, tigers and bears, alligator snapping turtles can also be domesticated. Wild alligator snapping turtles are ferocious by nature and full of wildness, often launching surprise attacks on people and animals that come near. Taming and domestication requires more than two or three generations before results are seen. Moreover, wild alligator snapping turtles are used to living in large-range environments, and when laying eggs they have the habit of crawling several hundred meters; after entering small artificial ponds they do not lay eggs. In addition, some "breeding farms" in the border areas of Guangxi, Guangdong and Yunnan sell smuggled turtles and other animals at low prices while passing them off as artificially domesticated animals. These smuggled turtles are even more ferocious, and more seriously, they carry international quarantine bacterial sources, which can cause infections in humans and livestock that are difficult to cure, with very frightening consequences.
III. Set up feeding platforms at multiple points
If the feeding platform area in the turtle pond is too small, the turtles gather together and there is competition for food and biting. In severe cases, the head, neck, legs and tail are injured or disabled, so several feeding platforms can be set up. Divide the required feed into three batches each day and feed in the morning, at noon and in the afternoon, which can reduce food competition and allow each turtle to eat evenly and get full. Feed intake is greatest in summer; the degree should be that the food put in is eaten within 2 hours. The feed should have comprehensive nutritional content, not be monotonous, and if conditions permit, more animal-based feed should be given. It is also very necessary to make the rearing pond space as large as possible, the environment quieter, and prevent excessive disturbance from strangers.
IV. Put turtles of the same batch into the pond at the same time
Generally, within the same batch of turtles, mutual fighting occurs less often because they already know each other. When introducing stock, note that body size should be basically the same. If the size difference is great, especially if the male turtle is too large, fighting is easily triggered. If turtles grown in the same batch differ slightly in size, there will still be some fighting. All turtles in a pond should be put into the pond at the same time, so that they all face a new environment and adapt, become familiar and grow together, preventing the phenomenon of "first to enter the mountain gate is the leader," and there will be even less fighting.
Practice has proved that wherever the above work is done well in management, the phenomenon of alligator snapping turtles killing each other is greatly reduced, and the survival rate can reach more than 98%.