Hanshou Soft-shelled Turtles

Hanshou Soft-shelled Turtles

Hanshou Soft-shelled Turtles are a protected geographical indication product.

Hanshou Soft-shelled Turtles are a certified geographical indication trademark.

　　Geographic Scope

　　Hanshou County is located in northern Hunan, on the western shore of Dongting Lake, with a paddy field area of 41,980 hectares. The county's water bodies—including Taibai Lake, Xinnao Lake, Nanhu Lake, Weidi Lake, Qingni Lake, Dankuhu Lake, and Qingshui Lake—are rich in wild soft-shelled turtles. The region enjoys a unique climate as part of the transitional zone between the central subtropical and northern subtropical monsoon humid climate zones. The annual average air pressure is 1012.1 Pa, the mean annual temperature is 16.7°C, and monthly average temperatures remain above 10°C for nine months. The accumulated active temperature above 20°C reaches 86,400 h°C, and the frost-free period lasts 274 days a year. The area has abundant rainfall, with an annual average relative humidity of 82%. The total annual solar radiation is 106.87 kl/cm². This favorable ecological environment supports the growth and farming of Hanshou soft-shelled turtles and gives them a six-month hibernation period.

　　Unique Qualities

　　Hanshou soft-shelled turtles have a distinctive flavor. Compared to those from other regions, they feature thin shells, large body size, wide and thick skirts, and egg-yellow abdominal fat. They are robust, agile, have strong immunity, grow rapidly, and have high survival rates. Their meat is pure, tender, delicious, and chewy, with superior nutritional and medicinal value compared to other species. Hanshou turtles contain a high proportion of umami amino acids, especially five types—ASP, GLU, GLY, ALA, and ARG—which account for 42.89% and 59.23% of the total amino acid content, respectively. Turtles farmed in Hanshou County have high protein content, containing 18 types of amino acids and various vitamins, especially essential trace elements such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, and potassium. In addition, the selenium content in their muscle tissue is 258 μg/kg, or 25.8 μg/100g, which is 1.2 to 9.4 times that of ordinary animal fresh meat.

　　The production area of Hanshou soft-shelled turtles covers 24 towns and townships currently under the jurisdiction of Hanshou County, Hunan Province, including Longyang Town, Zhouwenmiao Township, Yanwanghu Town, Canggang Town, Xinxing Township, Dankuhu Township, Potou Town, Yazi Gang Township, Yougang Town, Zhukou Town, Wenwei Township, Guantouzui Town, Niejiaqiao Township, Fengjiapu Township, Maojiatan Township, Zhumu Shan Township, Taizimiao Town, Cuijiaqiao Town, Junshanpu Town, Yuemingtan Township, Yangtaohu Town, Longtanqiao Township, Jiangjiazui Town, and Bailuqiao Town.