Cuora flavomarginata

The Chinese box turtle (), also known as the yellow-margined box turtle, or golden-headed turtle, is a species of Asian box turtle. Taxonomically, it is called ''Cuora flavomarginata''.

Anatomy

''C. flavomarginata'' has a highly domed shell, the carapace and plastron of which are a dark brown with a cream-yellow stripe on the vertebral keel. The edge of the plastron is lightly pigmented due to the marginal scutes' and plastral scutes' lighter pigmentation near their edges. The skin on the limbs is brown, while the top of the head is pale green. Each side of the head has a yellow line extending from behind the eye backward. The skin beneath the head and between the limbs is a lighter pinkish color.

The name ''box turtle'' refers to ''C. flavomarginatas ability to bring the plastron to the edges of the carapace. This is enabled by a hinge on the plastron and ligaments connecting the carapace and plastron, which allows for limited movement.

The forefeet have five claws, while the rear have four.

The external difference between male and female ''C. flavomarginata'' is slight. Males have a broader tail than females that is almost triangular in shape.

Distribution

''C. flavomarginata'' is found in Central China: Hunan, Henan, Anhui, Hubei, Chongqing, eastern Sichuan, Zhejiang & Jiangsu provinces (generally along the Yangtze drainage). It is also found in Taiwan and Japan, specifically the Ryukyu Islands, Ishigaki, and Iriomote.

Ecology and life history

Trophic ecology

''C. flavomarginata'' is omnivorous, and will eat a large variety of foods. "Adults favor earthworms, frozen pinkies (defrosted), snails, slugs, and mealworms. They also eat dry trout chow and 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. Leafy greens are ignored. Invertebrates that the turtles hunt for include June bug (Phyllophaga) larvae and slugs being principal prey."

Systematics and taxonomic history

In 1863, John Edward Gray described the species as ''Cistoclemmys flavomarginata''. It was later moved to ''Cyclemys'', and then to '' Cuora''. In the 2012 issue of the Turtle Taxonomy Working Group's Checklist, the species is listed as '' Cuora'' with two recognized subspecies.

Two subspecies have been recognised:
* ''Cuora flavomarginata flavomarginata''
* ''Cuora flavomarginata evelynae''

This species has hybridized with '' Mauremys japonica'' in captivity and with female Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtles both in captivity and in the wild.

References

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Cuora
Reptiles of China
Reptiles of Japan
Reptiles of Taiwan
Reptiles described in 1863
Taxa named by John Edward Gray