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Chinese Soft Shelled
Turtle
(Pelodiscus sinensis)
by Stuart Dodsworth
Distribution
This species of Soft Shell Turtle was formerly classified as Trionyx
sinensis. This species of soft shelled turtle occurs in various
water bodies in China, Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan and areas of Japan.
Feral populations that have escaped/been introduced have been
recorded in areas of Thailand, Hawaii and Florida. In the wild
it is mainly crepuscular in habit, although in a captive environment
they are usually more active during the day time. Many of these
turtles were sold as decorative turtles to live in tropical fish
tanks. Many of these turtles have now ended up in rescues after
growing up and eating all of the fish.
In Asia these turtles are farmed for their meat and shells.
Size
This species reaches sizes of up to 25cm (10 inches) in length.
The females are larger than the males.
Diet
In the wild this species of turtle feeds on a wide variety of
fresh fishes, crustaceans, insects and rodents. Therefore in captivity
it is essential to feed a varied diet. For example youngsters
can be fed waxworms, crickets, pink mice, prawns and pieces of
fish. Adults however can eat crabsticks, prawns (With shells on),
small rodents, crickets, waxworms, snails, trout, salmon, earthworms,
etc. Although it aids in maintaining a cleaner environment for
your turtle if you feed it in a separate feeding tank, if it is
fed in its own tank then you can enrich the environment by hiding
the food under stones and logs, to make it search for them. In
order to further enrich the environment and add vitamins to the
diet I have found that bobbing an apple or hard fruit on the waters
surface can keep them occupied for hours, whilst providing invaluable
exercise for their jaws.
Requirements
· Heat Source: - For the water, a thermostatically controlled
water heater will be required. This should be hidden and well
guarded as these turtles will destroy the heaters if they can
get to them. For the basking area, a guarded reflector (spot lamp)
or ceramic heater will be required. This basking lamp should be
turned off at night.
· UV Light Source: - This species of turtle spends 90%
of its time in the water, but they do occasionally come out to
bask so it is best to provide a Reptisun 5.0 light. This should
be positioned no more than 30cm away from the turtle when it is
basking for optimum exposure. As this will provide a natural photoperiod
and allow for the synthesis of D3. This should be left on for
8 to 12 hours a day and replaced every 6 months unless otherwise
stated by the manufacturer.
· Filtration: - This is important to reduce foul smells
and to keep the water clean. Under gravel filters do not work
very well for chelonians. You would be well advised to buy either
a large internal filter or an external filter. Be warned if the
filter is not secured well enough these turtles will pull them
off their fittings and break them, hide wires well.
· Land areas: - Two land areas should be available to your
turtle. One area should be for basking and have a heat source
above it and the UV light. The other area should be away from
the heat source, to allow the turtle to regulate its body temperature.
Underwater hides can be built under the land areas.
· Housing - An enclosure measuring at least 150cm by 60cm
by 45cm (5ft by 2ft by 18inches) should be provided to allow adequate
swimming space. Three sides of the aquarium should be blacked
out in order to prevent the turtle from becoming stressed. Indoor
pools are also a good enclosure for this inquisitive species of
turtle.
Substrate
This species of turtle is very shy and prefers to hide under aquatic
hides or dig into a soft substrate underwater and leave just the
nose exposed. Fine sand is the best substrate for this, as it
does not cloud the water too much. It is not advised to use gravel,
as it is too sharp and abrasive for this delicate turtle. Nesting
areas should be provided for female turtles. These can be created
out of Soil/sand mixes and should facilitate a nesting chamber
at least 35cm deep. They are best positioned quite near to the
basking area and are essential in order to prevent egg binding
in the females.
Temperature
This turtle should have access to a basking area of 28 to 32C
(82 to 89F); this should be turned off at night. The water temperature
should be maintained at between 24 and 25C (75 and 77F).
Longevity
This species of turtle can live for 25 to 30 years.
NB - This species must be maintained
separately unless an extremely large enclosure is provided due
to their aggressive natures.
This species can give a nasty bite when provoked and is not recommended
for anyone except experienced turtle keepers.
NB - Photograph taken by Stuart Dodsworth of The Reptile Trust.
Map taken from
Recommended Reading/Useful
Contacts
Stuart Dodsworth - stuartandlynette@dodsworth2005.wanadoo.co.uk
The International Herpetological Society - www.international-herp-society.co.uk
The British Herpetological Society - www.thebhs.org
Taxonomy Information - http://srs.embl-heidelberg.de:8000/srs5bin/cgi-bin/wgetz?-e+[REPTILIA-Species:'Pelodiscus_SP_sinensis']
Tortoise Trust - www.tortoisetrust.org
BCG - British Chelonia Group - http://www.britishcheloniagroup.org.uk/
To read about how the turtle became naturalized outside its natural
range click here http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.asp?speciesID=1278
http://www.deancloseprep.gloucs.sch.uk/chelonia/care%20sheets/trionyx.htm
http://www.fsbio-hannover.de/oftheweek/71.htm
www.eawt.co.uk an exotic animal rescue
www.reptilekeeper.co.uk
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