How to raise Chinese soft-shelled turtle

The Chinese soft-shell turtle is also known as the golden turtle, the golden-line turtle, the black turtle, etc. Because it is a native turtle species, it has strong adaptability, grows fast, and has a delicate appearance. It is a popular pet. So how do you raise a Chinese soft-shell turtle? Let’s learn more about it below.

1. Breeding container

Avoid buying a fish tank that is too small to raise grass turtles. You can go to the supermarket and buy a large rectangular, non-toxic plastic storage box with a length, width and height of 60*40*30cm. Of course, if there is enough space, many friends will directly use large logistics boxes of 1 meter or 2 meters, which will be more effective. As long as there is space, the container for raising turtles can be big.

2. Temperature and light control

Chinese soft-shell turtles have a strong adaptability to temperature, but in order to ensure their normal growth, the water temperature needs to be kept between 20-30℃. In summer, you can use filters or shade nets to lower the water temperature, and in winter, heating equipment is needed to raise the water temperature. In terms of lighting, it is recommended to place the turtle tank in a sunny place. If natural sunlight is not available, artificial light can be used to supplement it.

3. Water quality management

The water used for raising turtles should be tap water that has been left to dry for more than a day. It is best to prepare two plastic buckets for drying to meet the needs of water changes. It is recommended to change the water every two to three days, and only change a part of it each time. There is no need to change the water in the whole tank unless the water and the surrounding area of ​​the tank are very dirty. When partially changing the water, use a small plastic tube to use the siphon principle to suck out the dirty water at the bottom, and then add an equal volume of new water (i.e. dried tap water) into the tank.

4. Feeding tips

Grass turtles usually eat in water, so when feeding them, just put the feed directly into the water. It is recommended for beginners to feed some dried shrimps , dried fish , turtle food, etc., which are all good choices, less worry-free, and not easy to pollute the water quality. In addition, grass turtles do not need to be fed too frequently. It is fine to feed them once every few days. However, the temperature is high in summer and the turtles have a fast metabolism, so they can be fed once a day.

5. Reasonable disease prevention

Although Chinese soft-shell turtles have strong resistance, they may still get sick. Check your turtle's health regularly and treat any abnormalities promptly. Common diseases include skin rot, gastroenteritis, etc. Therefore, during daily management, be careful not to change the turtle's living environment at will, such as suddenly changing the water temperature, water quality, etc.

6. Hibernation management

When the temperature drops from October of each year to May of the following year, grass turtles hibernate. During hibernation, they only sleep and do not eat. At this time, you can move them to a dark and quiet place indoors, change the water once a month, and the amount of water should just cover the turtle's back. Don't disturb them, and just make sure the temperature doesn't drop below 6°C.

In general, the Chinese soft-shelled turtle is the most representative pet turtle in China. Its breeding and management techniques are relatively simple, but if you want to raise it well, you must master its growth habits to effectively avoid mistakes.