Annan Turtle

Annan Turtle is a turtle species that closely resembles the Yellow-Throated Leaf Turtle, but its distribution is not as extensive. Annan Turtles are medium-sized as adults and require higher temperatures when kept in captivity. Annan Turtle is a first-level protected animal in Vietnam, equivalent to China's giant panda, so it is not commonly seen in the market and is expensive.

Annan Turtle is similar to the Yellow-Throated Leaf Turtle. The biggest difference between the two is that the carapace of Annan Turtle is blackish-brown and there are two pale yellow longitudinal stripes on its head side, extending to the neck; while the carapace of Yellow-Throated Leaf Turtle is brown and there is only one pale yellow longitudinal stripe on its head side, not extending to the neck. Annan Turtles were abundant in the 1930s, but they have not been found since 1941. However, they are sometimes found being sold as food, indicating that they are not yet extinct in the wild.

Chinese Name: Annan Turtle

Alias: Vietnamese Turtle

Scientific Name: Mauremysannamensis

Taxonomic Classification: Phylum Chordata, Reptilia, Testudines, Geoemydidae, Mauremys, Annan Turtle

Distribution: Mainly distributed in central Vietnam

Habitat: Aquatic

Behavior: Annan Turtles have the habit of basking on land. The suitable water temperature is above 22℃, and they enter hibernation when the water temperature is around 10℃. Annan Turtles are more active and not afraid of humans. After being artificially raised for a period of time, they can actively approach humans and crawl with the movement of their fingers.

Diet: Omnivorous. Under artificial feeding conditions, they prefer to eat small fish, shrimp, lean pork, poultry offal, and yellow mealworms, occasionally eating a small amount of bananas.

Adult Size: The carapace length of adult Annan Turtles is usually 13-20cm.

Reproductive Characteristics: There are few reports on the wild reproductive habits of Annan Turtles. Under artificial feeding conditions, Annan Turtles exhibit egg-laying phenomena in May and August. Females weighing 10.6 kg and 0.96 kg lay 1-3 eggs. The eggs are ellipsoidal, weighing 10.8 grams, with a long axis of 34.6 mm and a short axis of 21.7 mm.

Difficulty of Keeping: Difficult

Hibernation: Yes

Price: Expensive, usually 4 or 5 two (a traditional Chinese weight unit) of turtles can cost 5000-8000 yuan.

Announcement in 2003, the Global Turtle Conservation Foundation announced the Annan Turtle as an endangered species, internationally classified as a second-class protected animal. In Washington, USA, it was also the first time the world's 25 endangered turtle species list was announced, and the Annan Turtle was included. Its country of origin, Vietnam, has classified it as a first-class protected animal, the same level as China's pandas.

Recommended for turtle lovers who have the conditions for keeping them, Annan Turtle is a highly valuable species of turtle. It is one of the popular breeding varieties in Guangxi, China and is suitable for breeding in small water bodies such as gardens, indoors, balconies, and rooftops.

1. Shell Rot:

    This can cause necrosis of the skin on the neck and limbs of the Annan Turtle, with the appearance of white or yellow spots. In severe cases, the epidermal tissue may become ulcerated, exposing the neck muscles, with the skeletal muscles of the limbs being exposed and the claws falling off, eventually resulting in death. After the disease occurs, isolate the turtle immediately and apply Terramycin, Gentamycin, or Chloramphenicol to the affected areas of the turtle's body. It is also possible to inject these drugs into the turtle's peritoneal cavity at a dosage of 15-20 thousand international units per kilogram of the turtle's weight. Alternatively, disinfect the tank with 0.4 ppm-0.5 ppm Furazolidone.

  2. Water Poisoning:

    The pathogen often parasitizes the neck, abdomen, and limbs of the Annan Turtle, causing necrosis of the epidermis at the parasitic sites, with grayish-yellow cotton-like debris. Young turtles are particularly susceptible to this disease. After the disease occurs, it can be treated by washing with a 3 ppm-10 ppm solution of Brilliant Green or by mixing an appropriate amount of antibiotics or sulfonamides into the feed.

  3. Coccidiosis:

    This disease is caused by coccidia attachment, which results in tissue necrosis and the emergence of white, ciliated structures on the neck, back, legs, tail, and other parts. Affected Annan Turtles exhibit decreased or loss of appetite, slow movement, gradual weight loss, and eventually ulcers and death. The affected turtles can be washed with an 8 ppm solution of potassium permanganate or a 20 ppm solution of sulfuric acid ketone. Each treatment lasts 25-30 minutes, once a day, for 7 consecutive days.

  4. Swollen Neck Disease:

    In the early stages of the disease, swelling occurs in the neck and throat of the Annan Turtle, with red spots appearing on the abdomen. The neck becomes rigid and extends straight. The eyes turn white, the turtle refuses to eat, climbs to the edge of the pool, and the edges of the turtle's body become swollen until the whole body is swollen, eventually leading to extension of the neck and death. This disease spreads rapidly and has a high mortality rate. When this disease is discovered, the sick turtle should be quickly isolated. It can be treated by washing with a 1 ppm solution of DDT or a 10 ppm solution of potassium permanganate for 10-15 minutes.

  5. Water Contamination:

    Due to stagnant water in the turtle pond for a long time or the presence of toxic substances produced by residual food and feces, Annan Turtles may become poisoned, causing red swelling in the abdomen and limbs and a poor appetite. If the turtle is affected by this disease, it is necessary to quickly replace the water and disinfect the tank with slaked lime.

  6. Fatty Metabolism Disorder:

    The overconsumption of fatty and rotten feed can cause chronic liver and kidney dysfunction and metabolic disorders in Annan Turtles. Turtles with this disease have rusty patterns on their abdominal shell and swelling in the neck and limbs. They feel soft and lack elasticity when pressed, and have difficulty moving, ultimately resulting in death. When turtles are affected by this disease, they should be fed with fresh live food and feed, with an appropriate amount of VC, VB, and VE added to restore their health.

Annan turtle is omnivorous and prefers to eat pork, fish, shrimp, mealworms, and occasionally a small amount of bananas when kept in captivity. In spring and summer, feed them twice a week, about 25 grams each time. In autumn, the feeding amount and frequency can be relatively increased, with a focus on high-protein feed, to ensure that the turtle stores more nutrients in its body to meet its needs during hibernation.

The newly hatched hatchlings have a weight between 6.4 and 13 grams, with an average of 9.75 grams. After the yolk of the hatchling is completely absorbed, they can be transferred to a large rubber basin for temporary rearing. When transferring to the basin, soak the hatchlings in a 1 mg/L potassium permanganate solution for disinfection. A rubber basin of 0.2 square meters can accommodate 45 hatchlings. The water level in the basin should just submerge the turtle's back. Change the water once a day. During the first week, feed them with cooked chicken (duck) egg yolk or minced pig liver. After one week, switch to minced fish or eel feed. The feeding amount should be based on the leftovers of the hatchlings. Feeding is best done in the morning and evening.

Shortly after the hatchlings start eating fish, they can be transferred to the hatchling rearing facility. The hatchling pool can be a cement pool or a pond. Before the hatchlings are put into the pool, soak them in a 1 mg/L potassium permanganate solution or 5% saline solution for about 10 minutes for disinfection. The stocking density is 80 to 100 hatchlings per square meter. Feed them mainly with animal-based feed such as fish, shrimp, snails, clams, and livestock and poultry organs, supplemented with plant-based fruits, vegetables, and grains. They can also be fed with a formulated feed with a protein content of about 40%. The daily feeding amount is generally 4% to 6% of the hatchling's body weight, or 2% to 3% of the turtle's body weight when using formulated feed, based on the leftovers. Feed them twice, in the morning and evening. Place the feed on land and remove any leftovers in a timely manner. Feeding should be done on a regular schedule, with a fixed quantity, quality, and location.