The Snapping Turtle is one of the most prominent turtle species globally, renowned for its exceptional meat yield, which can reach 85% to 89%. Its flesh is tender and crisp, offering superior nutritional value compared to pork, beef, and lamb. Not only is the meat valuable, but various parts of the turtle—such as the liver, gallbladder, blood, and bones—are also used in traditional medicine for their health benefits. Additionally, the smooth and flexible skin is ideal for crafting high-quality leather products like handbags and luggage. With such a wide range of uses, the commercial breeding of snapping turtles holds great potential. Currently, the market price for snapping turtles ranges between 800 to 1,000 yuan per kilogram, making it an attractive option for farmers and investors alike.
When setting up a turtle farming facility, it's important to choose a location that has access to clean water, is free from pollution, and is both convenient and quiet. The tank or pond should be rectangular with rounded corners, ideally oriented east-west. It can be made of concrete or built as an earthen pond with reinforced walls to prevent escape. Each pool should cover an area ranging from tens to hundreds of square meters, with a depth of 1.2 to 1.5 meters. The water level should be maintained between 30 cm and 80 cm. The bottom of the pool should slope slightly from north to south, with a drain pipe installed at the lowest point, covered with an anti-escape net. The corners should be rounded, and the entire structure should have an escape-proof cover and a wall of about 1 meter in height. A door should be placed on the side, and a "T"-shaped escape plate can be added on top of the wall to further prevent any possible escape.
For initial stocking, turtles weighing around 200 grams can be kept at a density of 24 to 27 per square meter, equivalent to 5 kilograms per square meter. However, as the turtles grow rapidly, it's essential to reduce the density regularly. When the average weight reaches 350 to 400 grams, the stocking density should be reduced to 20 to 22 per square meter. At 500 grams, it should be 15 to 17 per square meter; at 600 grams, 12 to 14 per square meter; at 700 grams, 10 to 12 per square meter; and at 800 grams, 8 to 9 per square meter.
Feeding is a critical aspect of turtle farming. A mix of commercial feed and fresh food can be used. The amount of compound feed should be 1.5% to 2.5% of the total turtle weight, while fresh feed should make up 5% to 10%. Feeding should occur three times daily—at 6:00–7:00 AM, 12:00–1:00 PM, and 5:00–6:00 PM. The food should be distributed evenly across the pond to avoid accumulation in one spot. The number of feeding stations depends on the size of the pond, typically 3 to 4 per square meter.
Maintaining good water quality is crucial, especially in high-density environments where turtles consume more and excrete more waste. Water can become polluted quickly, leading to harmful substances like ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. To combat this, photosynthetic bacteria can be applied when adding new water, using a concentration of 10^-6 to 15^-6. Regular water changes are also effective—adjusting the water level by 20 cm each time, or changing it every two days if the depth is 30 cm. Avoid long periods without water changes, and ensure the water remains clean and odor-free. Lime powder (70 ppm) should be sprinkled every 7 to 10 days, but it should not be used simultaneously with photosynthetic bacteria.
Water temperature plays a vital role in the growth and survival of snapping turtles. Maintaining a temperature between 30°C and 31°C significantly improves growth rates, whereas temperatures below 18°C slow down development by up to 30 times. During extreme weather conditions such as heavy rain or sudden temperature drops, ponds should be protected to prevent large fluctuations in water temperature—ideally no more than 2°C change.
Disease prevention is relatively straightforward, as snapping turtles are generally healthy. However, under high-density conditions, they may suffer from indigestion. In such cases, administering multi-enzyme tablets (2 tablets per kilogram of turtle) can help. For traumatic injuries, the affected area can be cleaned with iodine-soaked cotton and treated with anti-inflammatory and healing cream for 2 to 4 days. Regular monitoring and early intervention are key to maintaining a healthy population.
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