About Cuora flavomarginata (Gray, 1863)
Common Names and Taxonomy
The Chinese box turtle, also called the yellow-margined box turtle or golden-headed turtle, is a species of Asian box turtle with the scientific name Cuora flavomarginata (Gray, 1863). In Chinese, its common name translates literally to "Snake-eating turtle", written 食蛇龟 in simplified Chinese and 食蛇龜 in traditional Chinese, with pinyin shíshéguī.
Distribution in Mainland China
Cuora flavomarginata is distributed in central China, specifically in Hunan, Henan, Anhui, Hubei, Chongqing, eastern Sichuan, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu provinces, where it generally occurs along the Yangtze drainage.
Distribution Outside Mainland China
It is also found in Taiwan, and in Japan on the Ryukyu Islands, including Ishigaki and Iriomote.
Feeding Habit Overview
This species is omnivorous and feeds on a wide variety of foods.
Preferred Animal Prey of Adults
Adult Cuora flavomarginata prefer earthworms, defrosted frozen pinkies, snails, slugs, and mealworms.
Other Consumed Foods
They also consume dry trout chow, 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.
Avoided Foods
They do not eat leafy greens.
Main Invertebrate Prey
The main invertebrate prey that this turtle hunts includes June bug (Phyllophaga) larvae and slugs.
