Jiangsu - Softshell Turtle

Jiangsu - Softshell Turtle

　　Also known as Chinese softshell turtle, pond turtle, river turtle, water turtle, flat turtle, or mountain turtle. It is produced in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu. Its head is slightly triangular, with a long, protruding snout, nostrils located at the front of the snout, small eyes, a long and thick neck, a short tail, and sturdy limbs. The neck, tail, and limbs have strong retractile abilities. The body is oval-shaped, flattened on the back and belly, with no keratinized scales on the surface but instead covered by soft skin; the bony plates are also not well developed. The edges of the dorsal and ventral sides are wrapped in thick, soft connective tissue, commonly referred to as the "skirt edge." The back is olive green or brownish-gray with black spots, while the belly is yellowish-white. It is oviparous and breathes with lungs. It prefers warmth and fears cold, enjoys quiet and is afraid of disturbance, likes cleanliness and dislikes dirt. It inhabits rivers, lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and other large bodies of water. During the day, it mostly lives in the water, enjoys sunbathing along the lake shore on sunny days, and comes ashore at night to forage. It feeds on small fish, shrimp, snails, frogs, aquatic plants, and more. The meat of the softshell turtle is tender, delicious, rich, and succulent, with the skirt edge being the most palatable. It is suitable for braising, steaming, stewing, and making into canned food.