As the saying goes, "a turtle can live for a thousand years and a tortoise for ten thousand," it's common knowledge that turtles generally live longer than softshell turtles. But have you ever seen a softshell turtle weighing 14 jin (approximately 7 kilograms)? Recently, at a restaurant in the provincial capital, a giant softshell turtle over half a meter long made an appearance. Not only does its weight surpass that of many turtles, but its age has also sparked much speculation. "Could this softshell turtle be over a hundred years old?" someone curiously asked. Experts stated that to determine the exact age of the softshell turtle, scientific instruments would be required.
Mr. Li spent thousands of yuan purchasing this large softshell turtle and carefully brought it back to the restaurant for exhibition.
To emphasize the robust size of the large softshell turtle, Mr. Li placed a three to four jin turtle on its back. "A three to four jin turtle is already quite large on the market," Mr. Li said, "but compared to this one, it looks like a small toy."
Where did it come from? This "giant softshell turtle" was discovered at a market in the Dabie Mountains.
"I haven't decided yet what to do with this large softshell turtle. It would be too wasteful to serve it to customers; it’s not easy for it to grow this big." Mr. Li held up the large softshell turtle and said, "I'll keep it for now and see if there are any kind-hearted people who want to buy it for release."
Mr. Li owns a local cuisine restaurant near the intersection of Changjiang West Road and Hongwan Road in the provincial capital. A few days ago, while visiting the Dabie Mountains, Mr. Li accidentally came across this massive creature at a local market. Many people were gathered around a vendor, marveling at it. Upon closer inspection, Mr. Li realized that the villagers were selling a giant softshell turtle. "Having been in the catering industry for so long, I've seen softshell turtles of various sizes, but one this large is the first time I've encountered it."
Yesterday afternoon, the reporter visited Mr. Li's restaurant. The large softshell turtle was lying lazily in a red bathtub, basking in the sun. Clearly dissatisfied with its "temporary residence," the softshell turtle appeared cramped in the bathtub, which was about 60 centimeters in diameter. Its limbs could barely stretch out, let alone move around.
This "giant softshell turtle" has a light gray body, with numerous raised granules on both sides of its neck and carapace. After measurement by Mr. Li, it was found to be over 50 centimeters from head to tail, nearly 30 centimeters wide at its broadest point, and weighed a full 14 jin.
How old is this softshell turtle? The reporter consulted Professor Zu Guozhang from the Animal Science College of Anhui Agricultural University. "In terms of size, this softshell turtle is indeed quite rare," he explained. However, Professor Zu added that determining the age of a softshell turtle cannot solely rely on its size. "Scientific instruments must be used to conduct precise observations of the texture on its shell." Regarding the high price of 18,000 yuan offered by some merchants, Professor Zu commented that as a commercial behavior, it cannot be definitively concluded. "Such a large softshell turtle is very rare, and rarity commands value, which is understandable."
According to information, the softshell turtle, also known as a Chinese softshell turtle, is an amphibious reptile. The main existing species in China include the Chinese softshell turtle, mountain softshell turtle, and speckled softshell turtle, among which the Chinese softshell turtle is the most common. After comparing various sources, the reporter found that this softshell turtle bears the closest resemblance to the mountain softshell turtle.