Artificially hatching soft-shelled turtles in wooden boxes offers numerous benefits, including flexibility in scale, ease of management, cost-effectiveness, and a high hatching rate—often exceeding 90%. This method has become popular among breeders due to its efficiency and reliability. Below, we outline the detailed steps for successful artificial hatching.
First, choosing the right sand is crucial. Soft-shelled turtle eggs require an environment with proper temperature, humidity, and ventilation. Sand that is too coarse (over 1 mm in diameter) allows good aeration but lacks water retention, making it hard to maintain consistent moisture. On the other hand, very fine sand (less than 0.1 mm) holds water well but can become compacted, suffocating the eggs. The ideal particle size is between 0.5 and 0.6 mm, offering the perfect balance of aeration and moisture retention.
Next, disinfection is essential to prevent contamination. After selecting the sand, wash it thoroughly with fresh water until the water runs clear. Then soak it in a 20 mg/kg bleach solution for two days. Afterward, rinse the sand with cold boiled water to remove any residual chemicals. Allow it to dry completely before use. The wooden boxes used for hatching should also be cleaned and disinfected to ensure a safe environment for the eggs.
When packing the sand, it’s important to adjust the moisture content properly. Soft-shelled turtle eggs are more resistant to low humidity than high humidity. The ideal moisture level is between 5% and 15%. If the sand is too wet (above 25%), the eggs may rot; if too dry (below 3%), the eggs could desiccate. To test the moisture, squeeze a handful of sand—if it holds together but doesn’t drip, the moisture is just right. Place the sand in the box to a depth of about 20–35 cm, depending on the size of the eggs.
Selecting fertilized eggs is another critical step. When collecting eggs from the spawning bed, check for a white circular spot at one end—the animal pole. If this mark appears, the egg is fertilized. If not, leave it in the sand for 24 hours. If a white circle develops, it’s ready for hatching; otherwise, discard it.
Once the fertilized eggs are selected, place them gently into the prepared sand. For space efficiency, multiple layers can be used, though most people prefer a single layer for easier monitoring. Ensure the eggs are positioned with the animal pole facing up, as this orientation is vital for proper embryonic development. Also, mark eggs laid at different times for better tracking and avoid placing eggs too close to the edges of the box, as they tend to dry out faster.
Maintaining the right temperature is key during incubation. The ideal sand temperature is around 30°C. Temperatures below 25°C slow down development, while temperatures above 38°C can kill the embryos within hours. In warmer months, ensure proper ventilation to cool the environment, and in cooler periods, keep windows and doors closed to retain heat. In southern regions like the Yangtze River area, summer temperatures are usually suitable for hatching, ranging from 24°C to 35°C.
Moisture control is equally important throughout the process. Keep the sand consistently moist but not soggy. On hot days, if the sand near the eggs starts to dry out or turn white, lightly spray it with cold water. Be careful not to disturb the eggs when mixing the sand. This helps maintain a stable environment for the developing embryos.
Finally, monitoring the hatching process is essential. At around 30°C, the plant poles (opposite the animal poles) will appear pink within 5–8 days. By day 20–25, the plant poles turn red-black, and by day 26–30, black embryos become visible. By day 33, the entire egg turns white, and the embryo is fully developed. After 35 days, transfer the eggs to a shallow container filled with 2 cm of sand and 5 cm of water. Juveniles will naturally crawl into the water due to their water-repelling behavior. If they don’t find water after hatching, they may die.
This method ensures a high survival rate and is both practical and efficient for soft-shelled turtle breeding.
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