Chinese Name: Flat Turtle
Alias: Eagle-mouthed Turtle, Big-headed Turtle, Big-headed Flat Turtle, Eagle-mouthed Dragon-tailed Fish, Three-in-one, Parrot Turtle
Kingdom: Animal kingdom
Class: Flat Turtle Class
Genus: Flat Turtle Genus
Species: Flat Turtle
Distribution Area: Southeast Asia, northern and southern parts; mountainous streams.
Naming Person, Time: Gray, 1831
Economic Value: Edible, medicinal, ornamental, culturing green-haired turtles for export earnings, etc.
Morphological Characteristics: The head is large and triangular, with a large block of keratinized hard shell covering the top of the head. The upper beak is hooked like an eagle's beak, and the eyes are large, without external tympanic membrane. The dorsal shell is brown, long-ovate and flat in the middle, with no serrations on the anterior and posterior edges. The ventral shell is olive-colored, smaller and flatter, connected to the dorsal shell by a ligament, with lower marginal scutes. The limbs are gray, with tile-like scales, and the hind limbs are longer. Except for the outermost fingers and toes, there are sharp long claws, and there are semi-webbed interdigital membranes between the fingers and toes, which are not only conducive to land crawling but also swimming in water.
The tail is long, and in some individuals it exceeds the length of the dorsal shell itself. The tail is covered with annular short scales. Neither the head nor the limbs of this turtle can be retracted into the ventral shell, making it a relatively special species among known turtles in China.
Sexual Identification: In males of Flat Turtles, the shell on the ventral surface is relatively long, the central part of the flat chest is slightly concave, the tail is thick, and the cloacal opening is about 2.5 centimeters away from the posterior edge of the ventral shell. In females, the central part of the chest is very flat and not concave, and the body is wide. The anal opening is closer to the edge of the abdomen, about 1.5 centimeters from the base of the tail.
In ancient times, floods spread and people had nowhere to live. Yu the Great traveled all over the world to control the flooding, passing through 5370 mountains and traveling 64056 li, encountering all kinds of wonders. Therefore, Yu cast nine tripods, on which he recorded the miraculous and strange things he experienced, leaving behind a book called "Shan Hai Jing" for future generations. "Shan Hai Jing · Nan Shan Jing": There is a strange water that emerges from the mountains of Chuyang and flows east into the Xianyi water. There are many mysterious turtles in it, shaped like turtles with bird heads and snake tails. It is called the Rotating Turtle, and it sounds like the sound of wooden planks. Wearing it won't make you deaf, and it can be used as a base.
Love to climb pet groups, the Eagle-mouthed Turtle is an ancient reptile. Although they can be artificially bred, the overall difficulty of breeding is still relatively high. The Eagle-mouthed Turtle has relatively strict requirements for the surrounding environment and is sensitive to the environment. If they are artificially bred, they have requirements for factors such as water temperature and water quality. Furthermore, because their behavior of being artificially bred is not particularly common, there is not much experience in breeding that can be learned from.
1. Sexually transmitted diseases
At the beginning of the onset, the vent has a red shadow, which is generally difficult to see in the early stage. When touching the hind limbs and tail with hands, the reaction is slow. In severe cases, it cannot crawl, and the vent is loose with a foul smell.
2. Liver disease
During the onset of the disease, the spirits are poor, the movements are sluggish, and in severe cases, it droops its head and sleeps with its eyes open. The liver is severely damaged and is the number one killer. It needs to be treated promptly.
3. Respiratory tract infection
In the initial stage, there is coughing, and lumps of white mucus are secreted from the turtle's mouth. The feces have a foul smell, and pneumonia may occur when the temperature is high.
4. Limping
There are two types, one is non-swollen; the other is abscess, which can cause necrosis, paralysis, and death.
5. Respiratory tract infection pneumonia
There are small bubbles when the turtle opens its mouth, its breathing is hindered, its spirits are low, its appetite decreases rapidly, and it reacts slowly. In the later stage, the neck contracts when opening the mouth, and there is mucus in the nostrils.
6. Bilateral disease of closed eyes
It usually occurs in conjunction with other diseases such as pneumonia, sexually transmitted diseases, and liver disease. The eye sac is dry, and the eyes are closed after the disease is advanced, resulting in a high mortality rate.
7. Edema
Generalized edema, with swelling of the upper limbs, and in severe cases, cannot crawl.
8. Difficult labor
At the beginning of the onset, the vent often contracts, and in severe cases, it will bleed and cause genital infections. In the later stage, the genitals are exposed. Prevention is better than cure.
9. Gastritis
Mental dullness, severe cases do not eat or move, foul-smelling feces, and mucous are present in the vent for a long time.
10. Eyelid inflammation
At the beginning of the disease, there is a gray-white circle in the middle of the eyeball, and the turtle often rubs its eyes with its front limbs. In severe cases, the center of the eyeball sinks, and the eye sac becomes dry. If not treated in time, it can cause insomnia.
11. Floating disease
Due to long-term malnutrition, the vent is infected with bacteria. In severe cases, the hind limbs are weak, unable to swim in water, and weak, floating on the water, and eventually drowning and swelling.
12. Deformity
Due to breeding techniques, it is mainly seen in juvenile turtles. The turtle is fat, with crooked feet, soft paralysis of the hind limbs when crawling, softness in the bottom and middle of the carapace, irregular growth of the carapace, and severe cases develop deformities.
13. Rotten shell disease
This disease is more common in mature turtles. At the beginning, it is localized, and a small amount of pus can be squeezed out in the affected area when pressed with hands. This disease is latent, and if not treated in time, it will spread locally.
14. Rotten neck disease
Most commonly caused by bites during mating, more common in female turtles, with injuries on both sides of the neck and subsequent ulceration. It needs to be treated when severe.
15. Flesh fruits
The turtle's body originally had wounds, and the dead flesh was not eliminated. Tender flesh grows around the affected area, covering the dead flesh and forming flesh fruits, which can affect the turtle's health.
16. Cutaneous water mold
This disease is latent. Initially, gray-white mold spots appear on the eyelids, nostrils, skin, and toes. In severe cases, redness and swelling appear on the chin.
17. Trauma
There are bite marks, redness, and swelling on the turtle's feet, tail, skin, and neck. In severe cases, abscesses form. It is caused by bacterial infection from self-fighting and abrasions on the skin, resulting in serious consequences due to initial neglect or failure to consider it a significant problem and timely treatment.
Introduction: Due to the limited research on the Flat Turtle by various research institutions, a large amount of basic data is still incomplete. From a scientific perspective, there has been no breakthrough in the artificial breeding technology of this turtle! A few semi-ecological breeding and hatching of hatchlings cannot form a supporting population and cannot be considered a successful artificial breeding. Due to the rapid decline of the wild population of the Flat Turtle, the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora adjusted the Flat Turtle to Appendix I starting from June 12, 2013. It is protected as a first-level protected animal according to national laws.
Hatchlings
The feed for hatchlings is basically the same as that for parent turtles, but the pellets should be finer and softer, and the feeding amount should be about 5% to 8% of the hatchling's body weight, with one feeding in the morning and one in the afternoon. If using hatchling's artificial full-value pellet feed
The feeding management should be a total of 3% to 5% of the total body weight, divided into two feedings in the morning and evening. If using powdered feed, it should be thoroughly moistened and kneaded for a long time to make it soft and sticky, and then fed near the water surface on the feeding platform. The turtle pond should have a shade to prevent sun exposure, and new water should be added regularly to keep the water fresh. Residues should be removed in a timely manner to prevent deterioration of water quality. Hatchlings should be kept warm in winter to ensure safe hibernation. Plastics film can be used to cover the turtle pond when the water temperature is below 15℃.
Adult turtles
The Flat Turtle has a wide diet, including both animal-based and plant-based feeds. In order to promote fast growth, animal-based feeds should be the main source of nutrition, supplemented with plant-based feeds, as well as various vitamins, trace elements, and mineral feeds such as calcium and phosphorus. The ratio of animal-based to plant-based feeds should be 7:3 or 8:2, and the feeds should be fresh, processed and fed on the same day, without feeding rotten or spoiled food. The quality and quantity of the feeds should also be adjusted according to the different growth stages and climatic conditions of the Flat Turtle. The period from July to September is the peak feeding period for the Flat Turtle, with the fastest growth rate. Therefore, during these three months, sufficient nutrients should be provided to allow for more eating and faster growth. In spring and autumn when the temperature is lower, the Flat Turtle prefers to feed and forage around noon, so feed should be provided before noon. In summer when the temperature is higher, they are more active and forage from 5 to 7 in the afternoon. Prior to and during the mating period of the Flat Turtle, feed rich in protein that is easy to digest, as well as vitamins A, D, E, and K, should be given to improve fertility and reproduction. After November each year, when the temperature drops below 15℃, the Flat Turtle burrows into the mud at the bottom of the pond and enters a hibernation state. At this time, feeding is not necessary, and water does not need to be changed, but attention should be paid to keeping warm by covering the surrounding area of the pool with straw or other materials. During normal times (referring to spring, summer, and autumn), the water in the breeding pool should be changed regularly, with water changes every 2 days in summer and every 5 days in spring and autumn, to keep the water clean and prevent turtle diseases.
Selection of turtle hatchlings
Healthy Flat Turtles have smooth body surfaces, intact skin and plastron, well-developed limb muscles, lively eyes, and sensitive responses to external stimuli. When crawling, their limbs are powerful, able to support their bodies and escape quickly. When placed in water, they can swim rapidly and sink to the bottom. On the contrary, turtles with weak limbs, struggling weakly when held in the hands, moving slowly or floating on the surface of the water for a long time should never be selected for breeding.
Release of turtle hatchlings
The Flat Turtle has a larger wild nature compared to other turtles and is more difficult to adapt to artificial rearing conditions. Newly introduced turtles cannot be immediately placed in water. They should be kept in a cool place for 3 hours without water, and then sprinkled with water on the body surface to keep the body moist. After 1 day, the turtles can be placed in water and start feeding live bait such as small fish, shrimp, tadpoles, and earthworms. After 10 days of solitary feeding, they can be transferred to the turtle pond. The water depth should be about 20 cm at the beginning and gradually increased to about 50 cm as they adapt. After actively eating, the turtles can be fed with frozen fresh fish and other feeds. The feeding sequence is frozen fresh fish first, then live bait, and both should be placed in water.
Feeding
When artificially rearing Flat Turtles, feed them with small fish, shrimp, earthworms, frozen fresh fish, and other feeds. Before feeding, the large pieces of fish, shrimp, and other feeds should be processed into small pieces to facilitate the turtles' eating. The feeds should be placed in water to adapt to the flat turtles' habit of feeding underwater. The feeding amount each time should be 2% to 3% of the turtle's body weight, once a day in summer, once every two days in spring and autumn, and no feeding is required when the water temperature is below 20°C. The feeding time should be fixed to help the turtles develop conditioned reflexes and facilitate the observation of their eating conditions.
Daily management
Maintaining good water quality is the necessary environmental condition for raising healthy Flat Turtles. Therefore, it is necessary to change part of the water frequently and add in fresh water after feeding. Flat Turtles are not tolerant to high temperatures. When the water temperature may exceed 30°C, they must be transferred to a cool and low-temperature place in advance to prevent heat exhaustion.
Precautions
The most significant characteristic of the Flat Turtle is its fierce and aggressive behavior. When raised in groups, they often fight and bite each other, resulting in injuries and disabilities. Therefore, it is best to raise them individually, with only one turtle per square meter when raised in groups. For turtles with external injuries, soak them in a 40 mg/L potassium permanganate solution for 30 minutes, and then soak them in a 5 mg/L Bomei disinfectant solution for 1 day.
Pet Encyclopedia
