Chinese Box Turtle

Article provided to Redtailboa.net by Stuart Dodsworth

(Cistoclemmys flavomarginata)

Distribution
This species of Box Turtle is currently in a separate family to most of the other Asian Box Turtles due to its highly terrestrial habits. It was previously known as Cuora flavomarginata. In the wild they range though most of Southern China, Taiwan, and areas of Japan. There are currently two subspecies of this turtle recognized and they are (Cuora flavomarginata evelynae) and (Cuora flavomarginata flavomarginata). A third subspecies is sometimes recognized and this is (Cuora flavomarginata sinensis). It is also known as the Snail/Snake Eating Turtle, Yellow Marginated /Rimmed Turtle and the Golden Headed Turtle.
Size
This species of turtle usually has a carapace length of up to 17cm.

Diet
The Chinese Box Turtle finds the majority of its food on land. It is omnivorous consuming fruits, aquatic plants, fruits and mushrooms, as well as insects, snails, worms, pinkies and fish. They should be fed as varied a diet as possible. It is best to feed them two to three times weekly. Never feed them dog food. Juvenile Chinese Box Turtles are reared by many breeders as Aquatic turtles until they are 6 months old.

Requirements
Heat Source: - This can be a reflector (spot) light in green, blue or red. Also ceramics heaters can also be used. These need to be thermostatically controlled.
UV Light source – These reptiles require a Reptisun 5.0 UV light. This should be left on for between 12 and 14 hours daily, positioned no more than 30cm away from the basking turtle and replaced every 6 months.
Housing: - This should consist of a dark wooden Vivarium with a glass frontage and adequate ventilation or a Vision Cage. A Vivarium measuring approximately 120cm by 45cm by 30cm (4 feet by 18 inches by 12 inches) is fine for an adult pair. These measurements are only to be used as a guide. A tortoise table can also be used to good effect.
Thermostat: - An essential part of every Vivarium and is required to control the internal heat inside the Vivarium and to prevent your pet becoming too hot or too cold.
Wire Mesh Guards: - These should be fitted over all heat sources used in order to prevent any thermal burns from occurring.
Thermometers: - One should be placed at either end of the Vivarium. Never go by the temperature shown on the thermostat as this is often inaccurate.
Hides: - These should always be provided to prevent the animals from becoming stressed and exposed. A deep substrate should be provided as these turtles also dig to hide.

Water and Humidity
The Chinese Box Turtle is not as aquatic as some of the other Asian Box Turtles; this is what led to it being reclassified as a separate group (instead of Cuora). A shallow water container such as a heavy cat litter tray should be sunk into the substrate. This must be changed regularly as it is also the water that the turtle drinks. The land area should be misted once daily with tepid water.

Temperature
The temperature should be maintained at between 23 and 35C (75F to 95F). The temperature should never be allowed to drop below 21C (70F).

Longevity
This species of Box Turtle can live in excess of 25 years.

NB – due to the fragile situation this species is in wild it is always best to seek Long Term Captives/Rescues/Captive Bred Offspring.
A Photograph taken from and a map will be added soon.

Substrate
Bed-a-beast or soil/sand mixes are good substrates for these turtles as they assist in maintaining a good humidity. Sphagnum moss is also good for the humidity if misted frequently. Large pieces of dust free bark mulch (not pine or cedar) can also be used to good effect. The basking area must be kept dry in order o prevent ventral shell infections form occurring. If female turtles are kept a sand/soil mix of at least 30cm must be used in order to facilitate a nesting area for the female and help to prevent egg retention. Newspaper/ chip shop paper is also a good substrate is the turtles cannot ingest it easily. Whatever substrates you use ensure that it changed regularly to prevent the build up of bacteria.

This species is listed on CITES appendix II (since 2000), contact DEFRA For further information on how this affects you.

Recommended Reading/Useful Contacts

Exotic Animal Welfare Trust– peter@exoticanimals.fsnet.co.uk
Stuart Dodsworth – stuartandlynette@dodsworth2005.wanadoo.co.uk
The International Herpetological Society – www.international-herp-society.co.uk
The British Herpetological Society – www.thebhs.org
Taxonomy Information – http://srs.embl-heidelberg.de:8000/s...-bin/wgetz?-e+[REPTILIA-Species:'Cuora_SP_flavomarginata']
Tortoise Trust – www.tortoisetrust.org
BCG – British Chelonia Group – http://www.britishcheloniagroup.org.uk/
http://www.turtlepuddle.org/cuora/Asian.html
http://nytts.org/asianturtlecrisis.html
http://www.eznc.org/primosite/show.d...1879&anav=7799
http://www.turtlepuddle.org/cuora/flavomarginata.html
http://www.cites.org/eng/cop/11/prop/36.pdf
http://www.turtlepuddle.org/cuora/vickie.html
http://www.oaklandzoo.org/atoz/azchbxtr.html
http://www.tortoise.org/archives/cflavo.html
http://www.chelonia.org/sexing/sexin...omarginata.htm - a page dedicated to sexing these turtles.