The Asian Box Turtle is a genus of semi-aquatic turtle that is native to parts of South-East Asia in countries such as Philippines, Indonesia and China where they live around streams, ponds and shallow swamps.
They can be identified by the three ‘kneels’ that are present on their carapace. The carapace is the upper shell on the turtle.
They usually have a stripe running from their nose, along the top of their head and down along their neck. This striping is common for box turtles in their genus, including the Malaysian Box Turtle, so shouldn’t be used as a sole method of identifying individual species.
Taxonomy
In the Animal Kingdom, Taxonomy is used as the science and practice of classifying different species and sub-species based on their biological and genetic makeup.
Family
The Asian Box Turtle belongs to the Geoemydidae family of turtles. This family of turtle used to be known as Bataguridae, and is the largest and most diverse family of turtles.
There are about 70 different species of turtles that belong to this family. The family is extremely diverse and includes species of Eurasian Pond Turtles, River Turtles and Wood Turtles.
This family of turtle have a very large geographical distribution and can primarily be found in Europe, Asia and North Africa. The species in the genus Rhinoclemmys are the only turtles in the family that can be found in Central and South America.
Some of the defining features of the Geoemydidae family of turtles include;
- They usually have webbed toes.
- Their Pelvic Girdles articulate with their Plastrons flexibility.
- They draw back their necks vertically.
- Their Carapace has 24 marginal scutes.
Genus
The Asian Box Turtle is a genus within the family Geoemydidae. The scientific name for this genus is called Cuora. At the time of writing, there are 12 different species within the Cuora genus.
However, the Keeled Box Turtle (Cuora mouhotii) is sometimes classified in the monotypic genus Pyxidea as Pyxidea mouhotii. A monotypic genus is simply a genus that consists of a single species.
The Geoemydidae family is not to be confused with the Emydidae Family of Box Turtles in the United States that contains species such as the Three Toed Box Turtle.
Description
The appearance of the Asian Box Turtles can vary greatly depending on the species or sub-species but they often have a lot of common features. One of the common features of these turtles include a domed shell.
Many of the species have three keels on the carapace or upper shell which is considered a defining feature of the Asian Box Turtle.
These turtles can vary greatly in appearance and can range from red, yellow, brown grey or black in color. The body color is very intense but can also be highly variable.
Another common feature of Asian Box Turtle species is a stripe that runs from either side of their neck, along the top of their head and usually meets at the nose. This stripe can vary in color.
Natural Habitat and Distribution
The Asian Box Turtle species have a wide distribution and can be found throughout South-East Asia and as far North as China.
Each species in the genus has their own distribution but as a whole, the Asian Box Turtle can be found as far North as China where the Indochinese Asian Box Turtle can be found. Their range extends as far South as the island of Timor where the South Asian Box Turtle lives. The island of Timor is home to the Timor Python and the Timor Monitor.
They can be found as far East as Taiwan which is home to the Chinese Box Turtle. This species shares some of its range with the Taiwan Beauty Snake. Their distribution extends as far as Bhutan in the West where you can find the Jagged-Shelled Turtle.
Asian Box Turtle as Pets
An Asian Box Turtle can make a great pet and is popular in the pet trade. However, it is very important that you obtain you turtle from a reputable breeder to ensure that you are not purchasing a wild caught animal.
Many of these species are endangered and despite numerous conservation efforts, the Asian Box Turtle continues to be the most trafficked turtle in the world.
These turtles are taken from the wild in large numbers and sold in China as food. Large numbers are also exported to the United States and other countries to be sold in the pet trade.
This is why it is extremely important to only purchase one of these turtles from a trusted breeder. The trafficking of animals for the pet trade is only a lucrative market for the traffickers if they have people on the other side willing to pay for them.
Feeding an Asian Box Turtle
Some species of Asian Box Turtle are omnivorous while other species are carnivorous. It is important to research the particular species you are purchasing in order to understand their dietary needs.
As a whole, the Asian Box Turtle can eat a very varied diet of lettuce, tomatoes, cabbage and other fruit and vegetables. They can also eat things like mealworms and crickets.
It is important that these turtles get all the nutrients they need so Multivitamin and Calcium supplements should be added to their food. Again, it is important to research the nutritional needs of the specific species you are looking to purchase.
Asian Box Turtle Enclosure
The Asian Box Turtle species are semi-aquatic and will need access to both water and land. You should look into the enclosure requirements for the particular species you are planning on getting to get a more accurate understanding of their enclosure needs.
These turtles are quite active so will need a relatively large enclosure. You should aim for an enclosure with at least 4 foot x 2 foot of floor space. These turtles like to burrow so try to offer them enough substrate to allow for this.
They will need hides in the enclosure to allow them to feel secure. If you are going for a naturalistic setup, hollow sections of Cork Bark can be used for this. You can also use live plants in your enclosure but make sure they are edible as your turtle may eat them.
Light and Heat
Again, it is important to research the particular species of Box Turtle when it comes to light and heat. However, in general an Asian Box Turtle will do well when kept at an ambient temperature of 75F degrees. This can drop to around 70F at night.
They will need access to a basking spot in order to thermoregulate. A basking spot of around 85F-90F is ideal for many species of Asian Box Turtle. You should use an overhead heat source for this.
An overhead heat source can come in the form of a basking bulb (heat lamp) or a ceramic heat emitter. The ceramic heat emitters can be left on at night as they don’t produce any light.
Whatever heat source you choose, it will have to be connected to a high-quality thermostat. This will ensure that the temperature at the basking spot remains relatively constant and prevents overheating.
You will also need to provide your Box Turtle with a source of UVB. Turtles in captivity don’t receive the necessary UVB that they need to synthesize vitamin D3 and calcium.
As they usually get this from natural sunlight, we need to replicate it in captivity using a UVB Bulb. The Zoo Med or Exo Terra 5.0 bulbs are good options for turtles.
Handling an Asian Box Turtle
The Asian Box Turtle is a gently and friendly species of turtle. Unlike some other species, these turtles generally won’t bite. They will often pay close attention to you and follow you as you move passed the enclosure.
This behaviour can be seen as a form of interaction and shows that the turtle is comfortable with you. Despite this, they do not like to be handled too much so handling should be kept to a minimum to avoid unnecessary stress.
This doesn’t mean that you can’t handle an Asian Bix Turtle. It just means that handling should be kept to short durations and infrequently. There is nothing wrong with picking the turtle up to move them outside for a bit of exercise.
Asian Box Turtle Health Issues
As with any animal, an Asian Box Turtle is susceptible to a range of illnesses. We have listed some of the more common illnesses that affect these turtles below.
Vitamin A Deficiency
Vitamin A deficiency is a common problem in turtles and is primarily linked to poor diet. Also known as hypovitaminosis A, this health issue can be easily avoided by feeding your turtle a balanced, varied diet.
This health issue is primarily caused because owners don’t understand the nutritional requirements for their pet as opposed to neglect. It is important to understand your animals needs and know the signs of a poor diet.
An all-meat diet is a leading factor for this deficiency. Another large contributor is feeding your turtle iceberg lettuce. While there is nothing wrong with iceberg lettuce, it offers very little nutritional value as it is mostly water.
A vitamin A deficiency can cause changes to the outer layer of the turtle’s skin. It can also affect the mouth, eyes, kidneys, and upper respiratory tract.
A turtle with a Vitamin A deficiency will often have a lack of appetite and become lethargic. You may also see swelling around the eyelids and ears. This deficiency can also lead to other conditions such as respiratory infections and kidney failure.
Respiratory Infection
There are a number of reasons a turtle may develop a Respiratory Infection but the most common reasons are down to poor hygiene in their enclosure and a result of Vitamin A deficiency.
With a mild infection, you may notice a bit of wheezing which will develop into mucus. You may notice the turtle ‘blowing bubbles’ out its mouth and nose. You will need to take them to a vet for treatment.
Parasites
Gastrointestinal parasites are common in pet turtles and can be caused by bad hygiene or contaminated food, among other ways. A common form of Gastrointestinal parasites in turtles is roundworm.
A mild infestation can be difficult to diagnose without a faecal exam but a severe infestation can be more easily recognised. Common symptoms may include diarrhoea and weight loss. A visit to your vet may be required.
Shell Rot
Shell Infections or Shell Rot is quite common in turtles. These can be caused by bacteria, fungi or parasites and are typically a secondary reaction to things like trauma, burns or bites.
The severity of shell infections is often dictated by how deep into the shell the infection penetrates. The outer layer of the shell is very important as it protects the bone and organs underneath.
You need to visit a vet if your turtle develops a shell infection. They will be able to advise the best course of treatment. Early treatment is important to prevent the problem getting any worse.
Abscesses
An Asian Box Turtle is also prone to developing Abscesses. These can appear anywhere on the skin or the turtle’s body but commonly form on the ears. An Abscess is essentially a pus-filled swelling within the tissue of a turtle.
They are hard and dry and can have developed for a number of reasons but one of the more common causes is due to a Vitamin A deficiency.