Anbu closed-shell turtles

For turtles in our country The experience of raising and raising turtles has a long history. There are records of raising turtles as early as the era of wealthy merchants. By the end of the 1970s and the beginning of the 1980s, China began to raise a large number of turtles, but at first people only raised black turtles and yellow-throated water turtles.

1. Distinguishing the closed-shell turtle from other turtle species

Close-shelled turtles are a specialized group of turtles. Their plastron is connected through the middle part of the carapace, which is like a hinge and can move. After sacrifice, the ligament breaks and the plastron forms two sections. Therefore, closed-shell turtles are called "broken plate turtles" among the people. When living, you can open or close it according to your own needs. If it encounters an enemy, it immediately retracts its head, tail, hands and feet into the carapace, and the plastron and back carapace engage to close the carapace, forming a box-like structure. If attacked by a snake, the turtle closes its carapace and holds the snake until it dies, then eats the snake. Therefore, the closed-shell turtle is also known as "snake-killing turtle" and "snake-clipping turtle" among the people.

2. Closed-shell turtles have four major characteristics that distinguish them from other turtle species

First, the carapace and plastron are connected by ligaments (other turtles are connected by bone sutures). No armpit shield and crotch shield. Second, the front half and back half of the plastron are connected by ligaments (other turtles use bone sutures to connect the joints). Third, the short side of the lamina is backward, and there are 2 anal shields. Fourth, it is only produced in Asia. The above four characteristics are the prerequisites that closed-shell turtles must meet, and one of them is indispensable. If all of these conditions are lacking, it will be one of the other types of turtles.

Three and seven types of closed-shell turtles

Seven The species of turtles are Anbu turtles, three-line turtles, Zhou's turtles, Pan's turtles, yellow-margined turtles, Baise turtles and Yunnan turtles. They all have their own special characteristics. If we discuss the differences between species from the perspective of animal taxonomy, it will inevitably involve describing the number of bones, bone plates, scutes, etc. This is not only more complicated, but also has a negative impact on nutrition.It was not practical for colonists either. Now we introduce a way to distinguish based on the clues of the color and pattern of the carapace and plastron of closed-shell turtles.

1. Carapace appearance

Closed-shell turtles are water turtles that live in freshwater areas. Because they have lived in waters for a long time, the center of their carapace is slightly flat and the carapace is elongated. However, only the Anbu closed-shell turtle is different. The center of its carapace is raised higher than the other six species of closed-shell turtles. A is like a round bread.

2. Carapace color and markings

Among the seven species of closed-shell turtles, the three-line closed-shell turtle The carapace of the turtle is the most unique. Its carapace is light brown-red or orange-red, with three vertical stripes in the center of the carapace. These three vertical stripes are the key distinguishing characteristics from the other six species of turtles. The carapace colors of Golden-headed Sea Turtle and Pan's Sea Turtle are similar in color, dark brown or dark brown, without any markings. The carapaces of Anbu's turtles, Zhou's turtles and Baise turtles are black, bluish-brown or brown without any markings. The carapace of the Yunnan closed-shell turtle is brownish-gray and has no markings.

3. Plastron color and markings

Some of the plastrons of the seven species of closed-shell turtles have They are simply black or light yellow without any markings. Some plastrons are mainly black or yellow mixed with markings of different colors and shapes. These characteristics are one of the key signs for identifying the seven species of closed-shell turtles.

The Yunnan closed-shell turtle is the only species among the seven closed-shell turtles with a light yellow plastron. If the turtle's plastron is not only light yellow, but also has circular black spots of different sizes on each scute, it is an Anbu closed-shell turtle. If the turtle's plastron is mainly light yellow, and the intersection of each scute shows wide black stripes, it is a Pan's closed-shell turtle. If the turtle's plastron is mainly light yellow, and each scute has black stripes of varying thickness, like a plum blossom shape. If the head is golden yellow, it is definitely a golden-headed closed-shell turtle.

If the plastron is all black without any color markings, it is a three-line closed-shell turtle; if the plastron is mainly black, there are Light yellow and triangular markings indicate Zhou's closed-shell turtle. If the plastron is black and there are light yellow patterns on the front edge of the plastron and around the plastron, it is a Baise-colored closed-shell turtle. When identifying closed-shell turtles, the above characteristics should be summarized and used to accurately identify closed-shell turtles and ensure accurate selection.

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