Identification of seven species of closed-shell turtles

At present, the breeding of closed-shell turtles is one of the hot spots in turtle breeding. There are seven species of closed-shell turtles, except Anbu closed-shell turtle is a common species, the other six species are difficult to see their appearance. In order to enable farmers to select species correctly, the identification methods of seven species of closed-shell turtles are introduced as follows:

1. The difference between closed-shell turtles and other turtle species

Closed-shell turtles are specialized groups of turtles. The middle of their abdominal nail is connected by ligaments, like hinges, and can move. After death, the ligaments are broken and the abdominal nail becomes two segments. Therefore, the closed shell turtles are called broken plate turtles. When you live, you can open or close it according to your own needs. If you encounter enemy damage, immediately shrink the head, tail and limbs into the carapace, the abdominal armour coincides with the dorsal armour, close the carapace and form a box-shaped structure. If invaded by a snake, the turtle closes its carapace, just holding the snake until the snake dies, and then eats the snake. Therefore, the closed-shell turtle is also known as the snake tortoise and the snakeback turtle. Closed-shell turtles have four major characteristics which are different from other turtle species:

First, the dorsal nail and abdominal nail are connected by ligaments (other turtles are connected by bone sutures). No armpit shield or crotch shield.

Second, the anterior and posterior parts of the abdominal nail are connected by ligaments (other turtles are connected by bone sutures).

Third, the short side of the lamina is facing back, and there are 2 anal shields. Fourth, it is produced only in Asia. The above four characteristics are the conditions that closed-shell turtles must meet, none of which are indispensable. In the absence of any condition, it will be another type of turtle.

two。 Identification of seven species of closed-shell turtles

The seven species of closed-shell turtles are Anbu closed-shell turtle, three-line closed-shell turtle, Zhou's closed-shell turtle, Pan's closed-shell turtle, golden-headed closed-shell turtle, Baise closed-shell turtle and Yunnan closed-shell turtle. They all have their own special characteristics, if we explain the interspecific differences from the perspective of animal taxonomy, it is bound to involve the description of bones, bone plates, the number of scutellum and so on, which is not only more complex, but also not applicable to farmers. This paper introduces a method to identify the difference between the color and markings of the dorsal and ventral armour of closed-shell turtles.

2.1 shape of toenail

Closed-shell turtles are water turtles that live in freshwater areas. Because of living in the water for a long time, the center of their dorsal armor is slightly flat, and the dorsal armor is long oval, but with the exception of Ambu closed-shell turtle, the central protuberance of its dorsal armour is higher than that of the other six species of closed-shell turtles, which looks like a round loaf of bread.

2.2 back armor color and pattern

Among the seven species of closed-shell turtles, the back armor of the three-line closed-shell turtle is the most special, its back armour is light brown or orange, and there are three longitudinal stripes in the center of the back nail, which are important distinguishing features from the other six species of turtles. Golden-headed closed-shell turtles and Pan's closed-shell turtles are similar in color, showing crimson or crimson brown, without any markings. The toenails of Ambu closed-shell turtle, Zhou's closed-shell turtle and Baise closed-shell turtle are black, bluish brown or brown without any markings. The toenails of Yunnan closed-shell turtles are brownish gray and have no markings.

2.3 abdominal nail color and markings

Some of the seven species of closed-shell turtles are single black or light yellow without any markings, while others are mainly black or yellow mixed with markings of different colors and shapes. These characteristics are one of the important signs to identify seven species of closed-shell turtles.

2.3.1 all abdominal nails are yellowish

Yunnan closed-shell turtle is the only one with yellowish belly nail among seven species of closed-shell turtle. If the belly armour of the tortoise is not only yellowish, but also there are round black spots of different sizes on each shield, it is an Anbu closed shell turtle. If the belly armour of the tortoise is mainly yellowish, and each shield joint has a wide black stripe, it is Pan's closed shell turtle. If the belly armour of the tortoise is mainly light yellow, and each shield has black stripes of different thickness, shaped like a plum blossom, if its head is golden, it must be a closed shell turtle with a golden head.

2.3.2 abdominal nails are all black

If the belly nail is all black and does not have any color markings, it is a three-line closed-shell turtle; if the abdominal nail is mainly black and there are yellowish triangular markings in the center of the abdominal nail, it is Zhou's closed-shell turtle. If the abdominal nail is black, the front edge of the abdominal nail and around the abdominal nail have yellowish markings, it is a Baise closed shell turtle.

In the identification of closed-shell turtles, the above features should be combined to identify closed-shell turtles accurately and ensure correct selection.