Chinese name: Zhou`s Box Turtle

English name: Zhou`s Box Turtle

Classification: Chordates, Reptiles, Turtles

Reproduction: Oviparous

Lifespan: 25-40 years

II. Appearance characteristics

1. The carapace of Zhou's box turtle is about 160 mm long and 125 mm wide. It is a relatively simple dark brown, and the entire carapace looks like a dark brown egg.

2. The head is relatively narrow, the tip of the snout is blunt, and the upper beak is curved like a hook. The top of the head is smooth without scales, and the entire head is grayish-white.

3. The limbs are slightly flat, but very strong. The claws are well-developed and powerful, with webbed feet, and the toes are distributed on five forelimbs and four on hindlimbs.

Only distributed in Guangxi and Yunnan, China.

IV. Living habits

Because the wild Zhou's box turtle is extremely rare, it has not been recorded in detail, but it can be inferred from its morphological characteristics , they should live in mountainous areas and in mountain streams and small rivers. Zhou's box turtles are carnivorous turtles, and they mainly eat lean pork, fish, poultry offal, small insects, etc.

V. Breeding habits

The breeding season of Zhou's box turtle is in spring and autumn every year. Generally, male turtles will court in June. The courtship method is very unique. During courtship, the male turtle stays in front of the female turtle, thereby preventing the female turtle from advancing. If the female tortoise accepts the male tortoise, it will crawl quietly and motionless. If the female turtle rejects the male turtle, she will bite the male turtle head and front legs mercilessly. This courtship will continue until the end of July and will not continue until September enters autumn.

The eggs are laid in May-August every year, 5-6 eggs are laid each time. After the eggs are laid, the female turtle will shallowly bury the eggs in the soil. The eggs are generally white and oval in shape. , the length of the eggs is 42-42.8 mm, and the weight is about 15.8-16.3 grams. Eggs hatch between 27-31°C and hatchlings take 72 days.

VI. Protection level

It has been listed in the World Conservation Union Red List of Threatened Species as critically endangered (CR), and the China State Forestry Administration Three list.

Due to the destruction and reduction of the habitat and breeding environment, the natural reproduction of Zhou's box turtle has become increasingly difficult, and coupled with its high economic value, it is often caught, which makes it endangered. This editor recommends that you do not capture and sell wild Zhou's box turtles, and protect the ecological environment of their habitats.

The above is the popular science about Zhou's box turtle, welcome everyone to come and discuss.