Wuzhishan Golden Coin Turtle

Wuzhishan Golden Coin Turtle

　　The golden coin turtle, also known as the three-lined box turtle, is an endangered animal. It has a relatively slender head, with a waxy yellow color on the top of the head that is smooth and scale-free. Its snout is blunt, with slightly upturned upper jaws. The throat and neck are light orange-red, and there are rhomboid brown patches behind and around the eyes. The carapace is reddish-brown with three black longitudinal stripes, the central one being longer (absent in juveniles), and the front and rear edges are smooth and not serrated. The plastron is black with yellow edges. The carapace and plastron are connected by hinges between the abdominal and pectoral scutes, allowing the turtle to completely close its shell. The skin on the armpits, limbs, and tail is orange-red, and the toes have webbing.

　　 　　In the wild, the three-lined box turtle inhabits mountainous stream areas. It prefers locations with ample sunlight, quiet environments, and clean water. These turtles often dig burrows among the bushes along streams to make their nests, staying inside during the day and becoming more active in the evening and at night. The three-lined box turtle exhibits gregarious behavior. Under artificial rearing conditions, its living habits have changed—it is more active during the day and rests at the bottom of the water or climbs onto the shore at night. As ectothermic animals, their activity levels are entirely dependent on ambient temperatures. When the environment is between 23–28°C, they are highly active and roam about. Below 10°C, they enter hibernation. They awaken again when temperatures rise above 12°C. Throughout the year, the period from April to October is their active phase, while from November to early April of the following year is their hibernation period. In southern regions, the hibernation period is shorter, generally from December to February of the following year.

　　 　　The three-lined box turtle is omnivorous. In the wild, it primarily preys on aquatic creatures such as snails, fish, shrimp, tadpoles, and aquatic insects, and also consumes young mice, frogs, beetles, snails, and fly larvae. Occasionally, it eats pumpkins, bananas, and tender plant stems and leaves. Under artificial rearing conditions, it prefers earthworms, lean meat, small fish, and mixed feed.

　　 　　Major distribution provinces: Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Hong Kong

　　 　　Found in the following protected areas: Guangdong Heyuan Shiping Golden Coin Turtle Nature Reserve, Jianfengling, Nan’ao Islands, Nanjing South Asian Tropical Rainforest

　　 　　Found in the following mountains and lakes: Shiwandashan, Wuzhishan