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Soft Shells

Chinese softshells are the smallest species of softshell turtle. Males reach 7-9 inches in shell length and females 8-11 inches. They are almost entirely aquatic but should be provided a basking area with UVB lighting and a temperature of 28-30°C. Softshells are carnivorous and will eat fish, snails, crustaceans, insects, and pellets. Due to their long necks and bite, handling is not recommended and care must be taken if necessary to prevent injury.

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Rish Glorioso
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35 views

Soft Shells

Chinese softshells are the smallest species of softshell turtle. Males reach 7-9 inches in shell length and females 8-11 inches. They are almost entirely aquatic but should be provided a basking area with UVB lighting and a temperature of 28-30°C. Softshells are carnivorous and will eat fish, snails, crustaceans, insects, and pellets. Due to their long necks and bite, handling is not recommended and care must be taken if necessary to prevent injury.

Uploaded by

Rish Glorioso
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Softshells

Author: Neil Bidle Chinese Softshells

Chinese softshells (Pelodiscus sinensis) are the smallest species of softshell in the world, with the males reaching 7-9" SCL, and females reaching 8- !" SCL, plus their nec"s are around the same length as their #odies$ %ales ha&e longer tails and their cloaca is positioned further towards the end of the tail than in females' (he) also ha&e slightl) thic"er tails, although this is not as notica#le as it is with other species' Softshells are almost entirel) a*uatic, and are more than happ) in deep water, e&en as hatchlings' + rough guide of ,!L per inch SCL of turtle is ad&ised, with at least -!L per inch of turtle .+C/ if the) are to #e housed with other turtle as the) are so aggressi&e, although this is not ad&ised' Soft shells are prone to in0uries, and care should #e ta"en to "eep the tan" free from sharp o#0ects that could cause damage' + su#strate of fine pla) sand deep enough for the turtle to #ur) itself completel) is re*uired to reduce stress, although this can #e omitted' 1iltration and water *ualit) is &er) important for softshells as the) can #e prone to fungus as well as infection, and a filter rated for at least twice the tan" si2e is recommended' + small internal filter can also #e added with acti&ated car#on to "eep the water e3tra clean and also to #rea" the surface tension to pre&ent #uild up' 4egular water testing and partial changes are important, as well as "&acuuming" of the tan" to remo&e the larger mess' 5e careful when choosing a filter and positioning the inta"e as if the sand gets into the filter, it can rapidl) wear out the #earing' Larger filters tend to ha&e metal or ceramic #earings and so will last longer, #ut as long as the inta"e is "ept se&eral inches a#o&e the le&el of the sand, this should not #e a pro#lem' Softshells prefer slightl) acidic water (p/ -'6), and a small amount of a*uarium salt can #e #eneficial for helping to pre&ent s"in and shell pro#lems' 7ue to the limitations of decorating the tan", se&eral good si2ed leaf) plants can #e added as these will pro&ide resting and hiding places as well as helping to maintain water *ualit) if the) are li&e plants'

+lthough mostl) a*uatic, a #as"ing area should still #e pro&ided with a good strong source of 895 such as a 4epti:lo 8'! or !'! and a heat source to maintain a #as"ing temp of ;-;8C for around ; hours a da)' + floating (urtle 7oc" ma"es an ideal #as"ing area, although something more su#stantial ma) #e re*uired for a large female, along with an area for la)ing to pre&ent her #ecoming egg-#ound' Softshells are almost e3clusi&el) carni&ourous, eating a &ariet) of fish, snails, crustaceans, and in&erts as well as usuall) ta"ing commercial pellets' (he) are e3cellent hunters and can easil) deal with li&e feeders, and this means )ou can "gut load" cric"ets or mealworms to help introduce e3tra &itamins into the diet' /andling is &er) definitel) not recommended for softshells unless a#solutel) necessar) as e&en ones that are hand fed can #e 9.4< aggressi&e when handled, and will almost certainl) tr) to #ite the handler' 7ue to their long nec"s and speed, the #est wa) to pic" them up is to watch them #ur) into the sand and carefull) pic" them up from #ehind' .&en small softshells can gi&e a &er) nast) #ite, and adults can ta"e chun"s out of fingers, so a lot of care should #e ta"en to pre&ent in0ur) to #oth the "eeper as well as the turtle if it must #e handled'

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