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Turtle Habits and Breeding
Turtles are semi-aquatic reptiles, commonly found in rivers, lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and other freshwater environments. They spend most of their time in water during the day and tend to gather in shaded areas when the weather becomes hot. These animals are generally peaceful and do not fight with each other. When threatened or scared, they retreat into their shells for protection.
As omnivores, turtles eat a wide variety of food, including insects, worms, small fish, shrimp, snails, aquatic plants, duckweed, grains, and seeds. They have a strong ability to survive without food for long periods, sometimes going months without eating and still remaining healthy.
Being ectothermic, turtles rely on external temperatures to regulate their body heat. When water temperatures drop below 10°C, they hibernate by burrowing into the mud at the bottom of water bodies or under loose soil. Hibernation usually lasts from January to early April. As temperatures rise above 15°C, they become active again, and feeding begins when the temperature reaches 18–20°C.
Turtles have a long lifespan, though exact numbers vary. Some sources suggest they can live up to 100 years, while others claim they may reach 300 or even over 1,000 years under ideal conditions. Their growth is slow, especially for females. A typical growth pattern includes: first instar (over 15g), second instar (50g), third instar (100g), fourth instar (200g), and fifth instar (250g). By age six, they may weigh around 400g. Males grow more slowly and rarely exceed 250g even when fully mature.
Male and female turtles can be distinguished by several features. Males are smaller, with longer tails and a distinct musky odor, while females are larger and have shorter, thicker tails with no smell. Sexual maturity typically occurs at around five years old, with males maturing at about 150g and females at 250g.
During mating season, which usually takes place between April and May, male turtles actively pursue females. A single female may be followed by one to three males. The males use their front limbs to grasp the female’s shell and mate with her. In water, they roll around to complete the process.
In tropical regions, turtles can spawn year-round, but in China's Yangtze River basin, spawning typically begins in late August and peaks between May and July. Females may lay eggs 3–4 times per year, with intervals of 10–30 days. Each nesting session produces 5–10 eggs, with a range of 1–16. Ideal egg-laying temperatures are between 27°C and 31°C, and spawning stops if the temperature exceeds 35°C.
The spawning process involves four stages: selecting a suitable site, digging a hole, laying the eggs, and covering the nest. The hole is dug in loose soil with a moisture content of 5–20%, and it is approximately 8–9 cm deep. Eggs are laid one at a time, with each egg placed carefully. After all eggs are laid, the turtle covers the nest with soil and presses it down firmly. This entire process can take up to 8 hours, with the majority of time spent digging and covering the nest.
Fertilized eggs develop over about 30 hours, showing a white spot on the shell. After 30 days, the eggs turn pale purple, and after 70 days, the shells darken. The full hatching process takes 80–90 days, during which the young turtles emerge from their eggs.