Golden coin turtle

The golden coin turtle or Chinese three-striped box turtle ("Cuora trifasciata") is a species of turtle endemic to southern China and northern Vietnam.
[[Image:Trifasciata2.jpg|thumb|left|[[Plastron]]
Distribution.
The species is distributed in China, but only on the island of [[Hainan]] (it is [[extirpated]] from [[Guangdong]], [[Guangxi]], and [[Fujian]] provinces). The populations from other parts of Vietnam and [[Laos]] are now regarded a separate species, the [[Vietnamese three-striped box turtle]] ("C. cyclornata").
Description.
This species has three distinct black stripes on its brown [[carapace]], with a yellow, slightly hooked upper jaw and a yellow stripe extending from the back of the mouth. The [[plastron]] is mostly black with a yellow border. 
Diet.
In [[Hong Kong]], this species feeds on [[fish]], [[Frog|frogs]], and [[carrion]], but remains of [[Crab|crabs]], [[Snail|snails]], and [[Insect|insects]] have been found in its [[Feces|faeces]]. It can grow up to 25 cm (10 in).
Taxonomy.
It [[Hybrid (biology)|hybridizes]] vigorously with its relatives in captivity and in the wild, and hybrids may be fertile. Several of these have been described as new species, such as the [[Fujian pond turtle]] ("Mauremys" × "iversoni"), a hybrid between (usually) males of this species and females of the [[Asian yellow pond turtle]] ("Mauremys mutica"). In addition, the golden coin turtle is suspected to be a parent of the supposed species [[Chinese false-eyed turtle]] and [[Philippen's striped turtle]].
Conservation.
The species is considered [[critically endangered]] by the [[IUCN]]. It is used in [[folk medicine]], e.g. as the key ingredient for the [[Chinese medicine|Chinese medicinal]] dessert "[[guīlínggāo]]" (龜苓膏); thus, it is under threat because of unsustainable hunting. This is one of the most endangered turtle species in the world, according to a 2003 assessment by the IUCN. "C. trifasciata" is listed among Turtle Conservation Coalition's 25 most endangered tortoises and freshwater turtles. 
[[File:Golden coin turtle.JPG|thumb|left|Captive specimen on display at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Washington, DC]]
Farming.
"C. trifasciata" is raised on some of China's [[turtle farm]]s. Based on the data from a large sample (almost one-half of all registered turtle farms in the country), researchers estimated that the turtle farmers participating in the survey had the total herd of 115,900 turtles of this species; they sold 20,600 turtles of this species per year, with the estimated value of almost US$37 million. This would make a farm-raised "C. trifasciata" worth almost $1,800, making them by far the most expensive species tabulated in the survey (by comparison, a common "[[Pelodiscus sinensis]]" raised for food would be worth under $7, and a "[[Cuora mouhotii]]", sold for the pet trade, around $80). Taking into account the registered farms that did not respond to the survey, as well as the unregistered producers, the total numbers must be significantly higher. Wild "C. trifasciata" turtles are far more valuable than farmed-raised turtles of this species to both [[traditional Chinese medicine]] practitioners and [[Wildlife trade|illegal wildlife traders]]. The gender of "C. trifasciata" is determined by gestation temperatures. Due to incubation temperatures at farms in warm lowlands, farms have only been able to produce females. This increased the price of wild-caught males to $20,000. Most farmed "C. trifasciata" turtles are hybrids, which can escape and establish populations, causing [[genetic pollution]].
The largest "C. trifasciata" farming operation is said to be located in [[Boluo County]], Guangdong. According to the farm's founder Li Yi (李艺), the farm was started in 1989 with eight wild turtles (two males and six females) bought at a local market, and now has "over 2000" turtles. According to the farm's site, captive-born turtles start breeding at 8 years of age.
External links.
[[Category:Cuora]]
[[Category:Reptiles described in 1825]]
[[Category:Reptiles of China]]
[[Category:Turtles of Asia]]