There are currently 7 species of this kind of turtle reported in the world, which are distributed in Southeast Asia such as Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Japan, the Malay Peninsula and Islands, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Let us take a closer look below.
Species: The seven species of turtles are Anbu turtles, three-line turtles, Zhou's turtles, Pan's turtles, golden-headed turtles, Baise turtles and Yunnan turtles. turtle.
They all have their own special characteristics. If we discuss the differences between species from the perspective of animal taxonomy, it will inevitably involve the description of the number of bones, bone plates, and scutes. This is not only more complicated, but also And it is not practical for farmers.
Distinguish between closed-shell turtles and other turtle species
Close-shelled turtles are a specialized group of turtles. The middle part of their plastron is connected by a ductile band, which looks like a hinge and can move. After sacrifice, the elastomeric band breaks and the plastron forms two sections. Therefore, the 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 the snake turtle, snake-killing turtle and snake-clipping turtle among the people.
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 and back halves of the plastron are connected by ligaments (other turtles use bone sutures to connect the joints).
Third, there are 2 anal shields on the short side of the lamina backward.
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.
Identification of seven species of closed-shell turtles
Now we introduce a way to identify the turtles based on the clues of the color and pattern of the carapace and plastron.
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 flattened, and the carapace is elongated, but only has a closed loop.The shell turtle is different. The center bulge of its carapace is higher than that of the other six closed-shell turtles. The carapace is like a round bread.
2. Carapace color and markings
Among the seven species of closed-shell turtles, the carapace of the three-line closed-shell turtle is the most unique. Its carapace is light brown-red or orange-red. There are three vertical stripes in the center of the nail. 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 are simple black or light yellow without any markings, and some have black plastrons. The color is mainly yellow or yellow, mixed with patterns of different colors and shapes. These characteristics are one of the key signs for identifying the seven species of closed-shell turtles.
3.1 The plastrons are all light yellow
The Yunnan closed-shell turtle is the only species among the seven species of closed-shelled turtles whose plastron is light yellow. 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. If its head is golden yellow, it is definitely a golden-headed turtle.
3.2 The plastron is all black
If the plastron is all black without any color markings, it is a three-line closed-shell turtle; if the plastron is mainly black, it is a three-line closed-shell turtle. If there is a light yellow triangular pattern in the center of the plastron, it is Zhou's closed-shell turtle. If the plastron is black and there are light yellow stripes 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 in order to accurately identify closed-shell turtles and ensure accurate selection.
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