Chinese Softshell Turtle Care Guide | Complete Guide to Housing, Feeding, and Hibernation Management for Soft-Shelled Turtles | ブリちょく
Reptiles| ✍️ BreederDirect Editorial
Chinese Softshell Turtle Care Guide | Complete Guide to Housing, Feeding, and Hibernation Management for Soft-Shelled Turtles
A complete guide to keeping Chinese Softshell Turtles (Pelodiscus sinensis) as pets. This article clearly explains all the knowledge necessary for long-term care of soft-shelled turtles, from proper sandy substrate environments and carnivorous feeding methods to water quality management and safe hibernation induction—written in an easy-to-understand way for beginners.
Key Takeaways
A complete guide to keeping Chinese Softshell Turtles (Pelodiscus sinensis) as pets. This article clearly explains all the knowledge necessary for long-term care of soft-shelled turtles, from proper sandy substrate environments and carnivorous feeding methods to water quality management and safe hibernation induction—written in an easy-to-understand way for beginners.
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The BreederDirect editorial team specializes in care information for animals, covering veterinary care and breeding to deliver beginner-friendly guides.
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Chinese Softshell Turtle Care Guide | Complete Guide to Housing, Feeding, and Hibernation Management for Soft-Shelled Turtles
The Chinese Softshell Turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) is a soft-shelled turtle native to East Asia, characterized by its unique appearance—it lacks a hard shell and instead has a soft, leather-like carapace. Historically used as food and traditional medicine, it has recently gained popularity as a pet, and more enthusiasts are acquiring juveniles from breeders for captive care. This article provides detailed explanations of environment setup, feeding, hibernation management, and health care necessary for long-term pet care of Chinese Softshell Turtles.
Characteristics of Chinese Softshell Turtles and Breeding Difficulty Level
Basic Information
Item
Description
Scientific Name
Pelodiscus sinensis
Adult Size
Carapace length 20–35 cm (maximum over 40 cm)
Lifespan
20–30 years (with proper care)
Breeding Difficulty
Intermediate (long neck, agile, strong bite)
Legal Restrictions
None (can be kept as a pet)
Chinese Softshell Turtles develop powerful jaws capable of deep bites once their carapace length exceeds 20 cm. When handling, keep the head away by holding the tail ridge, or use specialized tongs to ensure safety.
Differences from Other Aquatic Turtles
Unlike typical aquatic turtles (Red-eared Sliders, Chinese Water Turtles, etc.), Chinese Softshell Turtles have the following characteristics:
Soft Shell: The carapace is leather-like and soft, easily damaged
Long Neck: Extremely long neck specialized for ambush predation in water
Burrowing Behavior: Tendency to burrow in substrate or mud, requiring appropriate bedding
Supplemental Lung Respiration: They perform "cutaneous respiration" by absorbing oxygen through skin and throat mucous membranes
Aggression: Adults can bite with such force that they can fracture human fingers
Setting Up the Enclosure
Choosing a Tank or Container
Chinese Softshell Turtles require more horizontal space than vertical movement, making wide tanks ideal.
Recommended tank sizes (adults):
- Carapace length under 20 cm: 60–90 cm tank (120L or more)
- Carapace length 20–30 cm: 90–120 cm tank (200L or more)
Plastic containers (animal storage tubs) are also practical. For outdoor keeping, use large plastic tubs (300–600L) with fencing to prevent escape.
Substrate Selection
Chinese Softshell Turtles burrow in substrate, so use fine sand or black sand with 2–5 mm grain size at a depth of 5–10 cm. Bare-bottom tanks damage the shell and increase stress.
Water Depth and Basking Area
Chinese Softshell Turtles breathe with lungs and supplement with cutaneous respiration, allowing them to spend long periods submerged without surfacing.
Water Depth: 1–1.5 times the carapace length (depths that are too great can cause drowning in some individuals)
Basking Area: A basking spot for sunbathing is necessary. Provide a sloped entry/exit
Escape Prevention: Chinese Softshell Turtles can climb tank walls, so a secure lid is essential
Water Temperature and Lighting
The optimal water temperature for Chinese Softshell Turtles is 22–28°C. Maintain temperature with a thermometer and submersible heater.
Basking Lamp: Create a warm spot of 30–35°C on the basking area
UVB Light: Not essential but helps supplement Vitamin D3 synthesis. Unnecessary for outdoor-kept turtles
Sunlight: Natural light improves coloration, luster, and immune function
Feeding Methods and Nutritional Management
Diet
Chinese Softshell Turtles are strictly carnivorous. In the wild, they eat fish, crustaceans, amphibians, and aquatic insects. In captivity, the following foods are suitable:
Suitable main foods:
- Frozen killifish or crucian carp (thawed before feeding)
- Frozen loaches or gobies
- Krill (dried shrimp)
- Turtle pellets (such as Reptomin)
Supplementary foods:
- Pork or chicken liver (about once weekly)
- Earthworms or crickets (protein supplementation)
- Shrimp shells (calcium supplementation)
Some individuals quickly adapt to pellets while others take longer. Start with live food or thawed frozen food to confirm appetite, then gradually mix in pellets.
Feeding Frequency and Amount
Water Temperature
Feeding Frequency
25–28°C
3–4 times per week
20–25°C
2–3 times per week
15–20°C
1–2 times per week
Below 15°C
No feeding
Feed an amount that will be consumed within 10–15 minutes. Always remove uneaten food to prevent water quality degradation.
Water Quality Management
Chinese Softshell Turtles eat heartily and produce significant waste, causing rapid water deterioration.
Water Change Frequency: 2–3 times per week, changing 1/3 to 1/2 of the water
Filter: External or undergravel filters are effective
pH Target: 6.5–8.0
Substrate Cleaning: Use a gravel vacuum to remove waste at least once weekly
Hibernation Management
Natural Hibernation vs. Heated Hibernation
Chinese Softshell Turtles enter hibernation when temperatures drop below 10°C.
Heated Hibernation (Recommended):
- Maintain water temperature above 20°C with a heater for year-round activity
- Faster growth with easier health management
- Safer for first-year juveniles or weak individuals
Natural Hibernation (Outdoor or Unheated):
- Gradually lower water temperature after October to induce hibernation
- Allow burrows in substrate, maintaining temperatures around 5°C (above freezing)
- No feeding required during hibernation; minimize water changes
- Natural activity resumes when water temperature exceeds 15°C in late March to April
Hibernation Failure Risks
Underweight individuals, sick turtles, and juveniles risk death during hibernation. Weighing individuals before hibernation (confirming sufficient fattening in autumn) and regular health checks are crucial.
Health Management and Common Illnesses
Shell Injury and Deformity
The soft shell is easily damaged by tankmates and rough decorations. Wounds are entry points for aquatic bacteria, so disinfect with salt water (0.3–0.5% concentration). Consult a veterinarian for severe cases.
Loss of Appetite
Chinese Softshell Turtles may stop eating due to environmental changes or poor water quality. After addressing the cause, stimulate appetite with their preferred live food.
Eye Disease
Poor water quality, insufficient UV light, or nutritional deficiencies cause cloudy or swollen eyes. Increase water change frequency, introduce UVB lighting, or provide weekly sunbathing.
Summary
Chinese Softshell Turtles are fascinating soft-shelled turtles with strong personalities and long lifespans. By maintaining three key elements—proper sandy substrate, high-quality carnivorous food, and clean water—20–30 years of long-term care is possible. While handling requires practice, their unique underwater movements and wild feeding behavior offer a striking presence unmatched by other pet reptiles. When acquiring juveniles from breeders, selecting individuals with unblemished, injury-free shells and good feeding response is the first step to successful long-term care.
