Annam Turtle

1 Overview

The Annam turtle (Mauremys annamensis) resembles the yellow pond turtle but is rarer and range-limited. It is a Vietnam first-class protected species (like China’s panda), so it is uncommon and expensive on the market.

CONSERVATION NOTE: Vietnam’s equivalent of a national treasure; do not acquire without confirming legal captive-bred status. It differs from the yellow pond turtle by two pale neck stripes reaching the neck (vs one, not reaching).

2 Appearance

Dark head with three or four yellow stripes; yellow/orange plastron with a black spot on each scute; grey-brown limbs, webbed. Males are larger and longer-shelled; females wider with a flat plastron and short tail; males have a concave plastron and longer tail.

3 Care & Temperament

They mate year-round, breeding May-October; in captivity eggs are laid in May and August (1-3 eggs). Active and unafraid of people – tame individuals approach and follow a finger.

4 Habitat & Environment

Aquatic; use a 30-50 cm tank with water at 1/3 depth (shallower for <250 g to prevent escape). Add duckweed/plants for filtration and looks. Hatchling pools ~30-40 cm deep; change water regularly and disinfect with KMnO4/bleach. In winter below 10 C they fully brumate; at 15 C they stir and should not be fed.

5 Diet & Feeding

Omnivorous: pork, fish, shrimp, mealworms, occasional banana. Feed twice weekly in spring/summer (~25 g per feed); increase in autumn with high-protein food to build winter reserves. Hatchlings start on egg-yolk or liver, then fish; feed 4-6% body weight, twice daily, on land, clearing leftovers.