Pig-nosed turtle

Pig-nosed turtle, also known as Pig-nosed turtle, is a type of turtle without a hard shell on its back. It is highly aquatic and usually does not sunbathe, but it has relatively high requirements for water quality and is prone to skin and shell rot. It is difficult to raise and has a moderate price.

Chinese name: 猪鼻龟

Alias: Oceania pig-nosed turtle, Flying River turtle, Pig-nosed turtle, etc.

Latin name: Carettochelys insculpta

English name: the Fly River turtle, the Pig-nosed turtle

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Reptilia

Order: Testudines

Suborder: Pleurodira

Family: Carettochelyidae

Genus: Carettochelys

Species: Carettochelys insculpta

Distribution area: Northern Australia, Southern Irian Jaya and Southern New Guinea.

Appearance: Its carapace is round, dark gray, olive-gray or brownish gray, with a row of white spots near the edge.

Habitat: Typical habitats include rivers, estuaries, marshes, lakes, swamps, and ponds.

Habitat: Aquatic.

Reproductive habits: In their native habitat, the dry season between July and October is the breeding season for pig-nosed turtles. Adult females crawl up the sand dunes on the shore at night and then dig a hole about 20cm deep. Each clutch produces 7-19 eggs, which are round and resemble ping-pong balls.

Diet: Pig-nosed turtles are omnivorous turtles mainly feeding on plant-based foods. They mainly feed on fruits, leaves, flowers and various aquatic plants that fall into the river. At the same time, they also feed on animal-based foods such as mollusks, insect larvae, crustaceans, fish, and mammal carcasses.

Evolution: 25 million years ago, a type of turtle called "shieldless turtle" was widely distributed on the Eurasian continent, including most of the eastern part of China. The scales on the back shell have mostly degenerated, and there is still a ring of scales on the edge of the shell in some individuals, while the scales on the belly shell are relatively obvious. These characteristics are consistent with today's pig-nosed turtle.

In modern times, pig-nosed turtle is the only descendant of the once prosperous shieldless turtle, but it has no scales on the edge of the shell like modern pig-nosed turtle.) The modern pig-nosed turtle is a unique species and has no close relatives.

It is recommended that enthusiasts keep pig-nosed turtles as pets. Keeping pig-nosed turtles requires a container, and the larger the container, the better, because adult pig-nosed turtles are very large. It is best to use a glass fish tank for easy observation of water quality and the turtle's condition.

Pest Control

Due to the turtle's fin-like four toes, which are very similar to those of sea turtles, some people put the pig-nosed turtle in water with high salt content, resulting in death. Therefore, it must be kept in freshwater. This turtle also has the characteristics of biting each other, so hanging nets, aquatic plants, or hiding objects should be added in the breeding water. Non-toxic green or light reddish-brown pigment water can also be sprayed to reduce water transparency. High concentration of photosynthetic bacteria and other microbial ecological agents can be sprayed as well.

For sick turtles with injured shell edges, they should be removed and the wounds should be disinfected. Apply anti-inflammatory and muscle-regenerating cream. If there are scabs, remove them and disinfect, and then apply medicine. Keep them separately. Change the medicine once a day for 3-5 consecutive days.

Leeches are pests for turtles. They suck the turtle's blood and endanger their survival. Regular inspections of turtle body and limbs should be done. If leeches are found, immerse the turtle in 3% iodized saltwater for about 25 minutes, allowing the leeches to detach themselves. Then apply anti-inflammatory and muscle-regenerating cream to the affected area.

Pig-nosed turtles usually like to eat some vegetarian foods and can also adapt well to human feeding. They can also provide a variety of meats during special periods, which means that they are not picky eaters and are easy to raise.

First, the dietary habits of Pig-nosed turtles

Pig-nosed turtles have a mixed diet, and adult turtles have a very large appetite. Due to their innate laziness, they do not actively hunt for food. The dietary principle of Pig-nosed turtles is to eat whatever they encounter, without being picky. Therefore, celery, wood ear vegetables, cabbage, amaranth, greens, apples, pears, tomatoes, watercress, watermelon, grapes, cucumbers, beef, shrimp, animal offal, breadworms, crickets (see details), red bloodworms, etc. can all be their food. Pig-nosed turtles will definitely not be picky eaters or refuse to eat.

Second, the initiation of feeding for Pig-nosed turtles

There is no need to feed the newly bought Pig-nosed turtle immediately. It will only start to eat slowly when it adapts to the new water environment. Therefore, you need to keep the environment quiet and stable, which usually takes about three or four days. After that, if the environment is suitable, the healthy Pig-nosed turtle will start to eat smoothly. For the first feeding, it is best to use fruits with special aromas (such as bananas, grapes, etc.), which can easily stimulate the interest and appetite of Pig-nosed turtles. The amount of feeding should not be too much, because the main purpose is to initiate feeding and allow their stomachs to function in the new water environment. After successful initiation of feeding and successful elimination, normal feeding can be carried out.