The Chinese stripe-necked turtle

A Chinese stripe-necked turtle is seen basking in the sun in Bijia Hill Park in Futian District. Photos by Isaac Cohen<

The Chinese stripe-necked turtle

The Chinese stripe-necked turtle (Mauremys sinensis), native to the freshwater habitats of China, is a medium-sized reptile with distinctive, alternating dark and light stripes on its neck. Its carapace ranges from brown to olive, adorned with intricate designs; the plastron (underside of their shell) is typically yellowish with dark blotches. The males have longer and thicker tails than females.

中华花龟是一种原产于中国的淡水栖龟类，体型中等，颈部具深浅相间的纵纹；背甲颜色从褐色到橄榄色不等，饰有复杂的纹样；腹甲通常呈黄色，具深色斑点；雄性的尾巴比雌性的更长更粗。

Inhabiting ponds, lakes and slowrivers, they are well adapted to aquatic and semi-aquatic environments, spending significant time basking on rocks or logs. Unaffected by water conditions, they can adaptto diverse ecosystems.

中华花龟见于池塘、湖泊、水流缓慢的河流，也能够适应半水生的环境，经常趴在岩石或者浮木上晒太阳。它们对水质的要求不高，能够适应多种多样的环境。

A Chinese stripe-necked turtle is seen in Bijia Hill Park in Futian District.

As omnivores, they feed on aquatic plants, algae, insects, crustaceans, mollusks, and small fish. This dietary flexibility allows them to occupy different niches within their habitats and help control populations of smaller organisms.

本物种属杂食动物，以水生植物、藻类、昆虫、甲壳、软体及小型鱼类为食，因为食谱较广，中华花龟能够在栖息的生境中占据不同的生态位，并有助于调控其他较小生物的种群数量。

Additionally, their foraging activities aid in nutrient cycling and help maintain water quality in their habitats.

此外，通过取食其他植物及动物，中华花龟有助于促进水体的营养循环，并维持其栖息地的水质。

Breeding typically occurs during spring and summer, when females lay up to 10 eggs per clutch in sandy or loamy soil near water bodies. The incubation period generally lasts for around two months.

常于发生春夏两季繁殖，雌性直接将卵产在水体附近的沙质或壤土中，每次多达10枚。孵化期通常为约两个月。

Chinese stripe-necked turtles are seen in Dasha River Ecological Corridor in Nanshan District. 

Their population in Shenzhen, however, faces a significant threat from the invasive pond sliders (Trachemys scripta). This latter turtle species, native to North America, has been widely introduced as pets, many of which have escaped or been released into the wild. These invaders outcompete the natives for resources and breeding sites, leading to a decline in their population.

然而在深圳，中华花龟的原生种群面临着来自外来物种——红耳龟的严重威胁。这种龟类原产于北美，作为宠物被广泛引入中国，其中逃逸或人为放生的个体不在少数。这些入侵者与本土龟类竞争生存资源，挤占了繁殖空间，导致中华花龟等本土龟类种群数量锐减。

Conservation efforts are necessary, such as raising awareness among the public about the ecological impact of invasive species and preventing their release into the local ecology. Measures are also needed to conserve the native turtles’ natural habitats for them to thrive.

我们必须保护好中华花龟的本地种群，向公众科普物种入侵生态系统的不利影响等知识，从而阻止人们把红耳龟等外来物种随意放生到当地的生境中。还需采取措施保护本土龟类的自然栖息地，使它们能够继续在深圳繁衍生息。