Chinese box turtle
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 Female Chinese box turtle, C. flavomarginata
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| C. flavomarginata Gray, 1863 |
The Chinese box turtle is a species of box turtle with several names. Its common names include Chinese box turtle, Snake-eating turtle, Yellow-margined box turtle, and Golden-headed turtle. Taxonomically, it has been called Cistoclemmys flavomarginata, Cuora flavomarginata, and Cyclemys flavomarginata. According to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System, the correct names are Cuora flavomarginata and Yellow-margined box turtle.[1]
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[edit] Description
C. flavomarginata has a highly domed shell, the carapace and plastron of which are a dark brown, excepting a cream-yellow stripe on the vertebral keel. The edge of the plastron is lightly pigmented due to the marginal scutes' and plastral scutes' lighter pigmentation near their edges. The skin on the limbs is brown in color while the top of the head is a pale green. Each side of the head has a yellow line extending from behind the eye backward. The skin beneath the head and between the limbs is a lighter pink-ish color.
The name box turtle refers to C. flavomarginata's ability to bring the plastron to the edges of the carapace. This is enabled by a hinge on the plastron and ligaments connecting the carapace and plastron, which allows for limited movement.
The forefeet have five claws, while the rear have four.
The external difference between male and female C. flavomarginata is slight. Males have a broader tail than females; it is almost triangular in shape.
[edit] Distribution
C. flavomarginata is found in Southern China, in the Fujian, Hunan, Guangxi, and possibly Sichuan provinces. It is also found in Taiwan and Japan, specifically the Ryūkyū Islands, Ishigaki, and Iriomote.[2]
[edit] Diet
C. flavomarginata is omnivorous and will eat a large variety of foods. "Adults favor earthworms, frozen pinkies (defrosted), snails, slugs, and mealworms. They also eat dry trout chow and moistened dry cat food, canned cat food; fruits including strawberries, bananas, cantaloupe, and papaya; and vegetables including grated carrots, corn on the cob, and squash. Leafy greens are ignored. Invertebrates that the turtles hunt for include June bug (Phyllophaga) larvae and slugs being principal prey."[3]
[edit] Naming
In 1863, John Edward Gray described the species as Cistoclemmys. It was later moved to Cyclemys, and then to Cuora. Debate continues on whether the species is consistent with Cuora or if it should be classified separately (as Cistoclemmys). Roger Bour and Ren Hirayama have provided evidence that flavomarginata and others are distinct from Cuora, which has been criticised, but not disproved. Therefore, usage of both Cuora and Cistoclemmys have some standing.
C. flavomarginata is largely terrestrial which contradicts its name of turtle. With regard to its characteristics, the term tortoise may be more accurate.
[edit] References
- ^ ITIS Standard Report Page: Cuora flavomarginata. Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on 2006-06-07.
- ^ REPTILIA-Species:'Cuora_SP_flavomarginata'. EMBL Reptile Database. Retrieved on 2006-06-07.
- ^ Connor, Michael J; Vickie Wheeler (October 1998). The Chinese Box Turtle. Retrieved on 2006-06-11.
