There are seven types of pet turtles that are most popular in China: the Chinese pond turtle, the golden coin turtle, mud turtles, map turtles, the red-footed tortoise, the pig-nosed turtle, and the yellow-headed sideneck turtle. These pet turtles are quite common in China, relatively easy to care for, and deeply loved by turtle enthusiasts.
More and more people are now keeping turtles as pets because, unlike cats and dogs, they do not require much time and attention from their owners. They are quite resilient and highly adaptable.
Ranking of Most Popular Pet Turtles in China
1. Chinese Pond Turtle (Mauremys reevesii)
Also known simply as the Chinese turtle, the Chinese pond turtle is a native species of China and is considered precious in its entirety, hence its reputation as the "longevity turtle". Males are smaller in size with longer tails that can have an odor. Females have carapaces ranging from light brown to dark brown, with blackish-brown plastrons, shorter tails, and no odor.
2. Golden Coin Turtle (Cuora trifasciata)
The golden coin turtle is highly valued for its appearance and is traditionally used in Chinese medicine, making it difficult to find on the market. The main characteristic of this turtle is its high resistance to disease and hunger. It enjoys eating fish, shrimp, earthworms, snails, and similar foods.
3. Mud Turtles (Kinosternidae)
Mud turtles are a popular choice for pet owners. They have an oval-shaped, smooth carapace that resembles an egg, hence the nickname "egg turtle".
4. Map Turtles (Graptemys)
Also known as Mississippi map turtles, these turtles have beautifully patterned shells. They are quite hardy to cold weather and can hibernate in water temperatures above 0 degrees Celsius. However, they need plenty of sunlight and a nutritious diet.
5. Red-Footed Tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonarius)
This species of tortoise has a relatively small size and has a noticeable concave section in the middle of their carapace, sometimes called a "hourglass waist". They have red markings on their heads and an oval-shaped carapace. They have bright colors and are relatively easy to care for as pets.
6. Pig-Nosed Turtle (Carettochelys insculpta)
The pig-nosed turtle is an aquatic turtle that spends the majority of its life in water and enjoys aquatic plants. They rarely come ashore. They are very territorial and prefer to live alone.
7. Yellow-Headed Sideneck Turtle (Podocnemis unifilis)
This turtle is popular because it was the inspiration for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. They are also quite easy to care for, primarily consuming leafy greens. They do not need basking platforms and can be kept alongside goldfish.