How to choose the best turtle for buying

When selecting turtles, it is recommended to choose individuals with high activity, intact shells without damage, and uniform abdominal color. The characteristics of high-quality turtles mainly include sensitive response, thick skirt edge, no odor, moderate weight, and clear eyeballs.

1. Sensitive

Healthy turtles respond quickly to external stimuli and have strong limb contractions when touched. You can flip the turtle and observe whether it can quickly turn over. The faster the turning speed, the stronger the vitality. Avoid selecting individuals with slow reactions or prolonged inability to turn over, as these turtles may have health issues.

2. Thick Skirts

The skirt edge of turtles is a nutrient storage site. High quality individuals have a wide and elastic skirt edge, which is milky white or light yellow in color. The obvious rebound can be felt by gently pressing the skirt edge with your fingers. The skirt edge that is too weak or hard may indicate that the turtle is not growing well or has been stored for too long.

3. Odorless

Fresh turtles have a slight aquatic animal odor but are not pungent. If you smell the odor of decay, mold, or chemical agents, it indicates that the turtle may have spoiled or been treated improperly. By observing the color of the gills, it can be determined that bright red is normal, while dark red or brown should be cautious.

4. Moderate weight

For turtles of the same body size, individuals with a firm and firm texture should be selected, as being too light may result in loose meat. Adult turtles weighing between 500-800 grams are more suitable, while larger turtles may have older meat. The turtle can be placed in water for testing, and a fast sinking speed indicates high density and good quality.

Fifth, clear eyeballs

Healthy turtles have bright and prominent eyes with transparent corneas and no white film. Eye retraction, cloudiness, or increased secretion are all signs of non freshness. At the same time, check whether the nostril is unobstructed and whether the oral mucosa is pink. These details can effectively judge the physiological state of the turtle.

After purchase, it is recommended to temporarily let it sit with water for 1-2 days to help spit out sand. Before cooking, clean the gaps in the shell with a brush. Turtle is rich in high-quality protein, collagen, and various minerals, making it suitable for stewing or steaming to preserve nutrients. People with spleen and stomach deficiency and cold should control their consumption and avoid eating cold foods together. Be careful not to be bitten during handling, and cook as soon as possible after slaughter to ensure freshness. When selecting, you can also inquire about the breeding environment and feed situation of the merchant. Ecological breeding of turtles usually has better quality.