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Cuora
flavomarginata
AKA:
yellow-margined box turtle
yellow-rimmed box turtle
Chinese box turtle
snail-eating box turtle |
Hatchling photos by Julie Fear
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Taxonomy:
While several Cuora species are somewhat or highly aquatic, C. flavomarginata
is less so. In fact, at least two authors considered C. flavomarginata and
C. galbinifrons to be so highly terrestrial that they felt these two species
did not belong within the genus Cuora, and suggested a separate genus,
Cistoclemmys, to accomodate this difference. (Bour [1980a:158] and
Hirayama [1984:147] cited in Iverson, 1992.) Other authors have not accepted
this, and both galbinifrons and flavomarginata have retained
the Cuora designation in most subsequent books and papers on the subject. |
| Subspecies: C. f. flavomarginata; C. f. evelynae from Ryukyu
Island, Japan; and C. f. sinensis from southern China. |
| Range and natural habitat: C. flavomarginata are known to
live in several provinces of southern China, Taiwan, and Ryukyu Islands
of Japan. Natural habitats have not been thoroughly studied in the wild.
Groups of these turtles have been seen on the banks of mountain streams.
They have also been observed swimming in shallow, still water at sea level.
They appear comfortable in sub-tropical to temperate climates. |
| Identification: C. flavomarginata has a dark, high arched
carapace with one light stripe (sometimes 3 stripes.) May also have keels.
The stripe(s) would be on the keel(s) and may fade somewhat with age. Carapacial
growth rings of each scute are usually clearly visible. The underside of
the marginal scute is yellow, giving the animal its scientific and common
names. There are a variety of colors and shadings on the head, yellow or
yellow-green on the sides and olive or brown on top. A light colored, dark-edged
stripe extends from the eye backward. The plastron is dark with yellow around
the edge. |
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| Captive care: New captives tend to be highly stressed and shy. Once
acclimated, however, this species is hardy, active and easily tamed. This
Asian box turtle is somewhat terrestrial, but should have a shallow water
area for drinking, wading and soaking. Juveniles are more aquatic and will
frequently swim. Because this animal ranges further north than C.amboinensis
and into alpine areas (not strictly tropical,) the warmth from a basking
light may be sufficient. Spagnum moss can be used in the vivarium with good
effect as it will retain moisture and help keep the humidity up, if misted
daily. Diet is omnivorous. They will eat some fruits and veggies, but are
known to eat snails, worms, and bugs in the wild. "Turtle pellets"
and small amounts of cat food may be fed. Provide a good source of calcium,
such as cuttlebone, crushed oystershell, or boiled, crushed eggshell. May
be maintained in outdoor enclosures in temperate regions. Successful breeders
keep the breeding pair outdoors for several months. Many owners regularly
allow hibernation in the winter, in regions where severe cold is unlikely. |
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Adult Cuora flavomarginata -- photo
by Mathieu Ouellette |
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