Golden thread turtle
The Chinese stripe-necked turtle (Mauremys sinensis) is a species of turtle in the family Geoemydidae. It is one of the two most commonly found species used for divination that have been recovered from Shang dynasty sites, despite the Shang capital being over 1000 km north of its modern-day distribution range.
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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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OmnivoreAn omnivore is an animal that has the ability to eat and survive on both plant and animal matter. Obtaining energy and nutrients from plant and ani...
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OviparousOviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
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PrecocialPrecocial species are those in which the young are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching. Precocial species are normall...
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SemiaquaticSemiaquatic animals are those that are primarily or partly terrestrial but that spend a large amount of time swimming or otherwise occupied in wate...
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NatatorialNatatorial animals are those adapted for swimming. Some fish use their pectoral fins as the primary means of locomotion, sometimes termed labriform...
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Generally solitaryGenerally solitary animals are those animals that spend their time separately but will gather at foraging areas or sleep in the same location or sh...
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withThe Chinese-stripe-necked turtle has a green body. As a juvenile, its carapace is grayish green and there are three distinctive ridges. As an adult, the color fades to a brown color and the two ridges gradually disappear. The plastron is ivory in color with small black spots. The male's tail is more coarse and long, while adult females will be larger than the males.
Chinese stripe-necked turtles are found in China (Hainan, Guangdong & Fujian), Taiwan, and northern and central Vietnam. They prefer lowland waters such as ponds, canals, and slow-moving rivers.
Chinese stripe-necked turtles are usually solitary but may gather in groups when basking on logs. They are very powerful swimmers and spend much of their time in water.
Chinese stripe-necked turtles are omnivores. They eat grass and other plants, flowers, small insects, and their larvae.
Little is known about the reproductive behavior of Chinese stripe-necked turtles. After mating, the females are known to lay 5-20 eggs that hatch in about 60 days. They don't provide any parental care after the eggs have been laid. Young Chinese stripe-necked turtles become reproductively mature when they are about 5-7 years old.
The main threats to Chinese stripe-necked turtles include habitat loss, pollution, collection for the pet trade and for consumption. In Hong Kong, mainland China and Taiwan, and in some other countries, it is a popular pet turtle. Another reason that affects the species population is the invasion of Red-eared sliders.
The IUCN Red List and other sources don’t provide the number of the Chinese stripe-necked turtle total population size. Currently, this species is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List, and its numbers today are decreasing.
