Beaked turtle

Beaked turtle

　　Produced in Tiandong, Guangxi.

The beaked turtle has a large head that cannot retract into its shell. Its mouth is covered with hard keratin, and its upper jaw is curved and sharp, resembling an eagle's beak—hence the name. The tail of the beaked turtle is also covered with a layer of keratinous scales. These features distinguish the beaked turtle from ordinary turtles.

The beaked turtle is considered a valuable creature. Its meat has a sweet and delicious flavor and is rich in nutrients, making it a prized tonic that nourishes the lungs and kidneys and has therapeutic effects on tuberculosis patients. The plastron of the turtle is processed into tortoise shell glue, a high-grade nutritional supplement effective in treating kidney deficiency, coldness, forgetfulness, insomnia, gastric bleeding, high blood pressure, lung diseases, and liver cirrhosis. Additionally, the turtle's feet can nourish the lungs, strengthen the stomach, support the kidneys, and improve vision. Its turtle oil and blood can treat asthma and bronchitis. The turtle’s liver, stomach, gallbladder, and eggs can all be used medicinally and are also considered nourishing delicacies.