Cuora flavomarginata hatching method and hatching system capable of controlling sex proportion

Abstract

The invention discloses a cuora flavomarginata hatching method and hatching system capable of controlling the sex proportion. The cuora flavomarginata hatching method comprises the following steps: hatching cuora flavomarginata eggs in a hatching box at the constant temperature of 29 DEG C in a first hatching stage; in the second hatching stage, on the basis of the temperature of the first hatching stage, the turtle eggs in the hatching box are hatched at the temperature reduced by 0.5 DEG C every day; performing constant-temperature incubation on the turtle eggs in the incubation box at the temperature at the end of the second incubation stage in the third incubation stage; in the fourth hatching stage, on the basis of the temperature at the end of the third hatching stage, the turtle eggs in the hatching box are hatched at the temperature increased by 0.5 DEG C every day; performing constant-temperature incubation on the turtle eggs in the incubation box at the temperature of 29 DEG C in the fifth incubation stage until incubation is finished. By means of the method, the hatching rate of the cuora flavomarginata can exceed 90%, meanwhile, the female-male proportion of the young turtles can be controlled to be slightly male or equivalent according to needs, imbalance of industrial development of the cuora flavomarginata is avoided, and continuity of cuora flavomarginata species is facilitated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of artificial breeding of Cuora flavomarginata, and particularly to an incubation method and an incubation system for Cuora flavomarginata capable of controlling the sex ratio. Background Art

[0002] Cuora flavomarginata is distributed in the central and southern regions of China and belongs to rare and endangered species. Cuora flavomarginata has high nutritional value. Its carapace can be used as raw material for traditional Chinese medicine, with the function of nourishing and detoxifying. At the same time, as a pet turtle, it has extremely high ornamental value and is deeply loved by vast turtle breeders. At the beginning of this century, with the joint efforts of official agencies and vast private enthusiasts to explore, the artificial incubation technology of Cuora flavomarginata has developed to be very mature so far, and the artificial breeding industry of Cuora flavomarginata is also booming.

[0003] The hatching rate of Cuora flavomarginata is greatly affected by the incubation temperature. Under natural conditions, due to the instability of temperature, the hatching rate of Cuora flavomarginata is only 50%-60%. By artificially controlling the incubation conditions, the hatching rate of Cuora flavomarginata can be significantly improved. Its hatching rate is about 60% at 26°C, and increases with the increase of temperature, reaching the highest at 29°C, exceeding 90%. When the temperature exceeds 30°C, the hatching rate begins to decline. Compared with 26°C or 27°C, incubating at 29°C can also reduce the incubation time by about 10 days, enabling the turtles to obtain energy earlier and improving the survival rate. Therefore, most breeders will choose the condition of constant temperature at 29°C for incubation.

[0004] However, the sex of Cuora flavomarginata is determined by the incubation temperature. Under the condition of 26-27°C, more male seedlings are hatched. Incubating at 29°C will result in almost all female seedlings. Since Cuora flavomarginata is rare in the wild and mostly artificially cultivated, affected by the hatching rate, few breeders will choose to sacrifice the output to hatch male seedlings. The huge disparity in sex ratio will seriously hinder the species continuation of Cuora flavomarginata and may cause a serious blow to the Cuora flavomarginata industry in the long run.

[0005] In view of this, it is necessary to provide a new technical solution to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To solve the above technical problems, the present application provides an incubation method for Cuora flavomarginata capable of controlling the sex ratio, which can make the hatching rate of Cuora flavomarginata exceed 90%, and at the same time, can control the male-female ratio of the turtle seedlings to be male-biased or equal according to needs, avoiding the imbalance in the development of the Cuora flavomarginata industry and being beneficial to the species continuation of Cuora flavomarginata.

[0007] An incubation method for Cuora flavomarginata capable of controlling the sex ratio includes: Before hatching, provide sufficient nutrition and a suitable egg-laying environment for the breeding turtles after full mating, and wait for the female turtles to enter the egg-laying season to lay eggs; After the female turtles enter the egg-laying season and lay eggs, collect the turtle eggs and transfer the collected turtle eggs into the hatching box; In the first hatching stage, incubate the turtle eggs in the hatching box at a constant temperature of 29°C, and remove the eggs of weak sperm or infertile eggs during the hatching process; In the second hatching stage, based on the temperature in the first hatching stage, incubate the turtle eggs in the hatching box at a temperature that decreases by 0.5°C per day; In the third hatching stage, incubate the turtle eggs in the hatching box at a constant temperature based on the temperature at the end of the second hatching stage; In the fourth hatching stage, based on the temperature at the end of the third hatching stage, incubate the turtle eggs in the hatching box at a temperature that increases by 0.5°C per day until the temperature rises to 29°C and enters the next hatching stage; In the fifth hatching stage, incubate the turtle eggs in the hatching box at a constant temperature of 29°C until the hatching of the turtle eggs ends; Preferably, when it is required that the number of male yellow-margined box turtles hatched is greater than the number of female yellow-margined box turtles, from the start of hatching to the 23rd day is the first hatching stage, a total of 24 days; from the 24th day to the 29th day is the second hatching stage, a total of 6 days; from the 30th day to the 32nd day is the third hatching stage, a total of 3 days; from the 33rd day to the 38th day is the fourth hatching stage, a total of 6 days.

[0008] Preferably, the hatching temperature at the start of the second hatching stage is 29°C; the hatching temperature at the end of the second hatching stage is 26°C; the hatching temperature in the third hatching stage is 26°C; the hatching temperature at the start of the fourth hatching stage is 26°C; Among them, when it is required that the number of male yellow-margined box turtles hatched is equal to the number of female yellow-margined box turtles, from the start of hatching to the 26th day is the first hatching stage, a total of 26 days; from the 27th day to the 29th day is the second hatching stage, a total of 3 days; from the 30th day to the 32nd day is the third hatching stage, a total of 3 days; from the 33rd day to the 35th day is the fourth hatching stage, a total of 3 days.

[0009] Preferably, the hatching temperature at the start of the second hatching stage is 29°C; the hatching temperature at the end of the second hatching stage is 27.5°C; the hatching temperature in the third hatching stage is 27.5°C; the hatching temperature at the start of the fourth hatching stage is 27.5°C.

[0010] Preferably, when the female turtles enter the egg-laying season and show signs of egg-laying, take the following operations: Search the pool daily, pay close attention to the female turtles with signs of egg-laying or transfer the female turtles with signs of egg-laying to a separate egg-laying pool; Prepare an incubation box, which should be filled with vermiculite up to 4 / 5 of its capacity, and add water of the same weight and shake well; After the female turtle lays eggs, dig out the eggs in time and transfer the dug turtle eggs to the incubation box.

[0011] Preferably, when the female turtle enters the egg-laying season and shows signs of egg-laying, if the female turtle does not lay eggs for more than half a month, inject oxytocin in time. Supplement calcium gluconate 1 hour before injection. The oxytocin is injected into the hind leg muscle, and the dose is 1 ml / kg.

[0012] Preferably, in the first incubation stage, incubate the turtle eggs in the incubation box at a constant temperature of 29°C, and remove the weakly fertilized or unfertilized turtle eggs during the incubation process. When the turtle eggs are incubated for 120 hours, open the box for inspection, and promptly remove the turtle eggs without a fertilization ring from the incubation box.

[0013] Preferably, in the fifth incubation stage, when the turtle eggs are incubated for 45 days, open the box for inspection and check the size of the air chamber of the turtle eggs; if the air chamber exceeds 1 / 3 of the volume of the turtle eggs, then put the turtle eggs back into the incubator after inspection; if the air chamber exceeds 1 / 3 of the volume of the turtle eggs, slowly inject water with a weight of 1 / 10 of the vermiculite from the four edges of the incubation box, and do not sprinkle it directly on the turtle eggs, and put the inspected turtle eggs back into the incubator.

[0014] Preferably, in the fifth incubation stage, during the period from the 70th day of incubation of the turtle eggs to hatching, open the box for inspection every day, open a ventilation hole at the head end of the turtle eggs with the disappearance of blood streaks at the head end, and put the turtle eggs with the ventilation holes opened back into the incubation box.

[0015] Preferably, in the fifth incubation stage, artificially break the shell of the juvenile turtles that cannot break the shell after the yolk is collected. After the yolk of the hatched juvenile turtles is completely collected, take them out of the shell 24 hours later, rinse them with clean water at the same temperature as the incubation temperature, and put them into the breeding environment.

[0016] Based on the same inventive concept, the present invention also provides a yellow-margined box turtle incubation system for implementing the yellow-margined box turtle incubation method, including: An outer shell box, a water circulation system, and an incubation box arranged in the outer shell box; One or more incubation partitions capable of placing incubation boxes are fixedly arranged in the incubation box; The water circulation system includes an upper water tank, a lower water tank, and a temperature regulating device arranged in the lower water tank; The upper water tank is of a sealed structure and is fixedly arranged at the upper end of the incubation box; the upper water tank is completely isolated from the incubation box through the upper water tank sealing plate at its bottom end; The lower water tank is fixedly arranged at the lower end of the hatching box; the lower water tank is separated from the hatching box by a lower water tank orifice plate at its top end; a plurality of ventilation holes capable of communicating with the inside of the hatching box are arranged in an array on the lower water tank orifice plate; The upper water tank and the lower water tank are communicated through an upper water pipe and a lower water pipe; The lower port of the upper water pipe is communicated with the outlet of a water pump arranged in the lower water tank; the upper port of the upper water pipe is communicated with the inside of the upper water tank; the lowest point of the upper port of the upper water pipe is higher than the surface of the upper water tank sealing plate; The upper port of the lower water pipe is communicated with the inside of the upper water tank; the lowest point of the upper port of the lower water pipe is higher than the surface of the upper water tank sealing plate, and the lowest point of the upper port of the lower water pipe is lower than the lowest point of the upper port of the upper water pipe; the lower port of the lower water pipe is communicated with the inside of the lower water tank; The water circulation system is configured to provide a preset hatching temperature for the hatching box in the first hatching stage, the second hatching stage, the third hatching stage, the fourth hatching stage and the fifth hatching stage by regulating the temperature of the water body circulating inside it.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present application has at least the following beneficial effects: 1. The present invention can control the male-female ratio of turtle seedlings to be male-biased or equal according to needs when the hatching rate of Cuora flavomarginata exceeds 90%, avoiding the imbalance in industrial development caused by the imbalance of the male-female ratio of Cuora flavomarginata and being beneficial to the continuation of the Cuora flavomarginata species.

[0018] 2. The hatching method proposed by the present invention adopts a gradually variable temperature method of 0.5 degrees per day in the second hatching stage and the fourth hatching stage to regulate to the target temperature, avoiding the situation of reducing the hatching rate of turtle eggs caused by sudden temperature change.

[0019] 3. Relying on the water circulation effect of the Cuora flavomarginata hatching system of the present invention and using the principle of high specific heat capacity of water, heating or cooling through water circulation makes the temperature range in the hatching box lower and the variable temperature time longer in the second hatching stage and the fourth hatching stage, and the temperature change in the hatching process of Cuora flavomarginata is more gentle, further avoiding the situation of reducing the hatching rate of turtle eggs caused by sudden temperature change.

[0020] 4. Relying on the self-moistening effect of the Cuora flavomarginata hatching system of the present invention, the humidity inside the hatching box is more suitable and the water replenishment frequency is lower. Description of the Drawings

[0021] Some specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail hereinafter with reference to the drawings in an exemplary but not restrictive manner. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar components or parts. Those skilled in the art should understand that these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings: Figure 1Schematic diagram of the overall process of the yellow-margined box turtle hatching method of the present invention; Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the overall structure of the yellow-margined box turtle hatching system of the present invention.

[0022] Among them, the above-mentioned drawings include the following reference numerals: 1. Outer shell box; 2. Hatching box; 3. Upper water tank; 4. Lower water tank; 5. Refrigerator; 6. Heater; 7. Water pump; 8. Water injection port; 9. Upper water pipe; 10. Fan; 11. Hatching partition; 12. Lower water pipe; 13. Lower water tank orifice plate; 14. Upper water tank sealing plate. Detailed implementation manners

[0023] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the technical solutions of this application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with specific embodiments of this application and the corresponding drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0024] As Figure 1 shown, a method for hatching yellow-margined box turtles with controllable sex ratio includes the following steps: S1. Before hatching, provide sufficient nutrition and a suitable spawning environment for the breeding turtles after full mating, and wait for the female turtles to enter the spawning season to lay eggs.

[0025] S2. After the female turtles enter the spawning season and lay eggs, collect the turtle eggs and transfer the collected turtle eggs into the hatching box.

[0026] S3. In the first hatching stage, incubate the turtle eggs in the hatching box at a constant temperature of 29°C, and remove the turtle eggs with weak sperm or unfertilized eggs during the hatching process.

[0027] S4. In the second hatching stage, based on the temperature in the first hatching stage, incubate the turtle eggs in the hatching box at a temperature that decreases by 0.5°C per day.

[0028] S5. In the third hatching stage, incubate the turtle eggs in the hatching box at a constant temperature based on the temperature at the end of the second hatching stage.

[0029] S6. In the fourth hatching stage, based on the temperature at the end of the third hatching stage, incubate the turtle eggs in the hatching box at a temperature that increases by 0.5°C per day until the temperature rises to 29°C and enters the next hatching stage.

[0030] S7. In the fifth hatching stage, incubate the turtle eggs in the hatching box at a temperature of 29°C until the hatching of the turtle eggs ends.

[0031] When the number of male Chinese box turtles hatched is required to be greater than the number of female ones, from the start of hatching to the 23rd day is the first hatching stage, lasting for 24 days in total; from the 24th day to the 29th day is the second hatching stage, lasting for 6 days in total; from the 30th day to the 32nd day is the third hatching stage, lasting for 3 days in total; from the 33rd day to the 38th day is the fourth hatching stage, lasting for 6 days in total. Among them, the hatching temperature at the start of the second hatching stage is 29°C; the hatching temperature at the end of the second hatching stage is 26°C; the hatching temperature in the third hatching stage is 26°C; the hatching temperature at the start of the fourth hatching stage is 26°C.

[0032] When the number of male Chinese box turtles hatched is required to be equal to the number of female ones, from the start of hatching to the 26th day is the first hatching stage, lasting for 26 days in total; from the 27th day to the 29th day is the second hatching stage, lasting for 3 days in total; from the 30th day to the 32nd day is the third hatching stage, lasting for 3 days in total; from the 33rd day to the 35th day is the fourth hatching stage, lasting for 3 days in total. Among them, the hatching temperature at the start of the second hatching stage is 29°C; the hatching temperature at the end of the second hatching stage is 27.5°C; the hatching temperature in the third hatching stage is 27.5°C; the hatching temperature at the start of the fourth hatching stage is 27.5°C.

[0033] As another embodiment of the present invention, when the female turtle enters the egg-laying season and shows signs of egg-laying, the following operations are taken: Search the pond daily, pay close attention to the female turtles showing signs of egg-laying or transfer the female turtles showing signs of egg-laying to a separate egg-laying pond. Prepare the hatching box, which should be filled with vermiculite at 4 / 5 capacity and add water of the same weight and shake well. Dig out the eggs in time after the female turtle lays eggs and transfer the dug-out turtle eggs into the hatching box.

[0034] As another embodiment of the present invention, when the female turtle enters the egg-laying season and shows signs of egg-laying, if the female turtle does not lay eggs for more than half a month, inject oxytocin in time. Supplement calcium gluconate 1 hour before injection. Oxytocin is injected into the hind leg muscle in a dose of 1 ml / kg. Generally, oxytocin will take effect 40 - 120 minutes after injection.

[0035] As another embodiment of the present invention, when incubating the turtle eggs in the hatching box at a constant temperature of 29°C in the first hatching stage, open the box for inspection when the turtle eggs are incubated for 120 hours, and timely remove the turtle eggs without fertilization rings in the hatching box. It should be noted that the whole process should be handled gently to avoid vibration. By timely removing the turtle eggs without fertilization rings from the hatching box, it can avoid the late necrosis of the turtle eggs from contaminating other fertilized eggs.

[0036] As another embodiment of the present invention, during the fifth hatching stage, when the turtle eggs are hatched for 45 days, the hatching box is opened for inspection to check the size of the air chamber of the turtle eggs; if the air chamber exceeds 1 / 3 of the volume of the turtle eggs, the turtle eggs are put back into the hatching box after inspection; if the air chamber exceeds 1 / 3 of the volume of the turtle eggs, water with a weight of 1 / 10 of the vermiculite is slowly injected from the four peripheral edges of the hatching box, and the water cannot be directly sprinkled on the turtle eggs, and the inspected turtle eggs are put back into the hatching box.

[0037] Furthermore, during the fifth hatching stage, within the time period from the 70th day of hatching of the turtle eggs to hatching, the hatching box is opened for inspection every day. An air vent is opened at the head end of the turtle eggs with the disappearance of the head end blood streaks, and the turtle eggs with the opened air vents are put back into the hatching box. Among them, the size of the air vent is about 3 mm.

[0038] Furthermore, during the fifth hatching stage, there are a small number of juvenile turtles that cannot hatch. In this case, the juvenile turtles that cannot hatch need to be artificially hatched after the yolk is collected. The hatched juvenile turtles are taken out of the shell 24 hours after the yolk is completely collected, rinsed with clean water at the same temperature as the hatching temperature, and put into the breeding environment.

[0039] The current mature artificial breeding methods of Cuora flavomarginata are all constant temperature hatching, and there is no variable temperature hatching method. The characteristics of the present invention are that during the hatching process, through artificial variable temperature at the critical period of sexual organ development, the hatching genders of turtle eggs are respectively controlled to be male-biased (male-female ratio 1:10), equal male and female (male-female ratio 1:1), and all-female. At the same time, the hatching rate of turtle eggs is guaranteed to exceed 90%, and the hatching time is shortened, reducing the possibility of increased competition caused by the late listing of turtle seedlings. Breeders can choose the hatching gender ratio according to their own situations without considering economic losses, enabling the protection, reproduction, and utilization of Cuora flavomarginata to develop in a healthy manner.

[0040] In addition, it should be noted that due to the differences in turtle species, the hatching temperatures of different turtle species are different, and the thresholds for determining gender by hatching temperature also vary. For Cuora flavomarginata, the hatching rate of Cuora flavomarginata is about 60% at 26 °C, and it increases with the increase of temperature, reaching the highest at 29 °C, exceeding 90%. When the temperature exceeds 30 °C, the hatching rate begins to decline. Compared with 26 °C or 27 °C, hatching at 29 °C can also reduce the hatching time by about 10 days, enabling the turtles to obtain energy earlier and improving the survival rate. Therefore, most breeders will choose the condition of 29 °C constant temperature for hatching.

[0041] To enable those of ordinary skill in the art to better understand the technical solution of the present invention, the technical solution of the present invention will be further described below in conjunction with embodiments. In this embodiment, the collected turtle eggs are divided into five groups, namely control group one (hatched at 26°C throughout the process), control group two (hatched at 27.5°C throughout the process), male-biased group (the temperature is reduced to 26°C in the middle stage of incubation), equal male and female ratio group (the temperature is reduced to 27.5°C in the middle stage of incubation), and all-female group (hatched at 29°C throughout the process).

[0042] Specifically, 143 mature female Cuora flavomarginata turtles are selected, which mated sufficiently in the previous year. After emerging from hibernation in April, they are fed daily, and the food includes feed, insects, fruits, etc. to ensure that the breeding turtles have sufficient nutrition. Hard eggs begin to form in the female turtles' bodies 20 days after emerging from hibernation and are laid within half a month. A suitable egg-laying environment such as moist soft sand or straw should be prepared for the female turtles during the egg-laying season. Search the pond daily and dig out the eggs in time.

[0043] A total of 505 turtle eggs are obtained during the first egg-laying peak. Incubation boxes are prepared with vermiculite and water in a weight ratio of 1:1. The turtle eggs are collected into the incubation boxes using the semi-buried method. After the turtle eggs are collected, they are divided into five groups, with 101 fertilized eggs in each group, and are respectively transferred to five constant-temperature incubators. The temperature of the first group is set at 26°C, the temperature of the second group is set at 27.5°C, and the temperature of the turtle eggs in the third to fifth groups is set at 29°C. After incubating for 120 hours, the incubators are opened to check the fertilization status of the turtle eggs. 97 eggs are fertilized in the first group, 94 eggs are fertilized in the second group, 97 eggs are fertilized in the third group, 99 eggs are fertilized in the fourth group, and 96 eggs are fertilized in the fifth group. The unfertilized eggs are transferred out of the incubator, and the fertilized eggs continue to be incubated.

[0044] The incubator of the first group of turtle eggs maintains a temperature of 26°C until hatching; the incubator of the second group of turtle eggs maintains a temperature of 27.5°C until hatching; the third group of turtle eggs is cooled by 0.5°C every day when incubated to 24 days, and is cooled to 26°C at 29 days. At this time, it maintains a constant temperature of 26°C until 33 days, and is heated by 0.5°C every day at the 33rd day, and is heated to 29°C at 38 days. At this time, it maintains a constant temperature of 29°C until the end of incubation; the fourth group of turtle eggs is cooled by 0.5°C every day when incubated to 27 days, and is cooled to 27.5°C at 29 days. At this time, it maintains a constant temperature of 27.5°C until 33 days, and is heated by 0.5°C every day at the 33rd day, and is heated to 29°C at 35 days. At this time, it maintains a constant temperature of 29°C until the end of incubation; the incubator of the fifth group of turtle eggs maintains a temperature of 29°C until hatching.

[0045] When incubated for 45 days, open the incubator to check the size of the air chamber of the turtle eggs. For the incubator boxes where the air chamber exceeds 1 / 3 of the volume of the turtle eggs, replenish water with an amount equal to 1 / 10 of the dry weight of the vermiculite. During the period from 70 days of incubation to hatching, open the incubator for inspection every day. When observing the turtle eggs with the disappearance of blood streaks at the head end by shining a flashlight, gently make a ventilation hole with a diameter of about 3 mm at the head end of the turtle eggs with forceps to avoid suffocation caused by the untimely hatching of the juvenile turtles. After the juvenile turtles hatch, do not take them out immediately. After 24 hours when the yolk is completely absorbed, rinse them with isothermal clean water and put them into the breeding environment.

[0046] The experimental results are as follows: In the first group (control group 1), 57 turtles hatched, with a hatching rate of 58.76%. There were 51 male turtles and 5 female turtles. The average hatching days were 89 days, and the accumulated incubation temperature was 2314℃·d.

[0047] In the second group (control group 2), 79 turtles hatched, with a hatching rate of 84.04%. There were 38 male turtles and 41 female turtles. The average hatching days were 79 days, and the accumulated incubation temperature was 2172.5℃·d.

[0048] In the third group (male-biased group), 91 turtles hatched, with a hatching rate of 93.81%. There were 83 male turtles and 8 female turtles. The average hatching days were 73 days, and the accumulated incubation temperature was 2090℃·d.

[0049] In the fourth group (equal male-female ratio group), 94 turtles hatched, with a hatching rate of 94.95%. There were 45 male turtles and 49 female turtles. The average hatching days were 73 days, and the accumulated incubation temperature was 2106.5℃·d.

[0050] In the fifth group (all-female group), 91 turtles hatched, with a hatching rate of 94.79%. All were female. The average hatching days were 73 days, and the accumulated incubation temperature was 2117℃·d.

[0051] From the hatching results, it can be seen that the male-female ratio hatched in the male-biased group is similar to that in the control group 1, both about 1:10. However, the hatching rate of the male-biased group is significantly higher than that of the control group 1 and has no significant difference from the all-female group. The male-female ratio hatched in the equal male-female ratio group is similar to that in the control group 2, both about 1:1. However, the hatching rate of the equal male-female ratio group is significantly higher than that of the control group 2 and has no significant difference from the all-female group. Example

[0052] Based on the same inventive concept, the present invention also provides a yellow-margined box turtle hatching system for implementing the yellow-margined box turtle hatching method.

[0053] The existing hatching system uses air heating, which is characterized by a fast temperature change and can quickly reach the ideal temperature, and is applicable to constant-temperature hatching. However, the yellow-margined box turtle hatching method of the present invention includes a variable-temperature regulation process. If the existing incubator is used, the hatching rate will be reduced due to the too-fast temperature change during temperature regulation.

[0054] A yellow-margined box turtle hatching system of the present invention utilizes the principle of high specific heat capacity of water, heats or cools through water circulation, can achieve slow temperature change in the hatching box, and can effectively improve the hatching rate of yellow-margined box turtles.

[0055] In this embodiment, as Figure 2 shown, a yellow-margined box turtle hatching system includes: an outer shell box 1, a water circulation system, and a hatching box 2 disposed inside the outer shell box 1.

[0056] One or more hatching partitions 11 capable of placing hatching boxes are fixedly provided inside the hatching box 2. Ventilation openings for ensuring that fresh air can enter the inside are provided on the side wall of the hatching box 2.

[0057] The water circulation system includes an upper water tank 3, a lower water tank 4, and a temperature adjustment device disposed inside the lower water tank 4.

[0058] The upper water tank 3 is of a sealed structure and is fixedly provided at the upper end of the hatching box 2; the upper water tank 3 is completely isolated from the hatching box 2 through the upper water tank sealing plate 14 at its bottom end.

[0059] The lower water tank 4 is fixedly provided at the lower end of the hatching box 2; the lower water tank 4 is separated from the hatching box 2 through the lower water tank orifice plate 13 at its top end; a plurality of ventilation holes capable of communicating with the inside of the hatching box 2 are arrayed on the lower water tank orifice plate 13. Under the action of the ventilation holes, water molecules in the lower water tank 4 can enter the hatching box 2 to maintain the humidity inside the hatching box 2.

[0060] The upper water tank 3 and the lower water tank 4 are connected through an upper water pipe 9 and a lower water pipe 12. The lower port of the upper water pipe 9 is connected to the outlet of a water pump 7 disposed inside the lower water tank 4; the upper port of the upper water pipe 9 is connected to the inside of the upper water tank 3; the lowest point of the upper port of the upper water pipe 9 is higher than the surface of the upper water tank sealing plate 14. The upper port of the lower water pipe 12 is connected to the inside of the upper water tank 3; the lowest point of the upper port of the lower water pipe 12 is higher than the surface of the upper water tank sealing plate 14, and the lowest point of the upper port of the lower water pipe 12 is lower than the lowest point of the upper port of the upper water pipe 9; the lower port of the lower water pipe 12 is connected to the inside of the lower water tank 4.

[0061] Preferably, the lowest point of the upper water pipe 9 is 10 cm higher than the upper surface of the water tank sealing plate 14, and the lowest point of the lower water pipe 12 is 5 cm higher than the upper surface of the water tank sealing plate 14.

[0062] The water circulation system is configured to provide a preset hatching temperature for the hatching box 2 in the first hatching stage, the second hatching stage, the third hatching stage, the fourth hatching stage, and the fifth hatching stage by regulating the temperature of the water body circulating inside.

[0063] Further, the temperature adjustment device includes a heater 6.

[0064] Preferably, the heater 6 is an electric heater.

[0065] In some other embodiments of the present invention, a yellow-margined box turtle hatching system further includes a control device for monitoring and controlling the temperature of the water in the water circulation system and the air in the hatching box 2. The control device is electrically connected to the temperature regulating device and is used to control the cooler 5 or the heater 6 to start to ensure the temperature in the hatching box 2.

[0066] In addition, the control device includes a liquid temperature sensor disposed in the upper water tank 3 for monitoring the water temperature inside it. The liquid temperature sensor is electrically connected to the control device and is used to feedback the water temperature in the upper water tank 3 to the control device.

[0067] In some other embodiments of the present invention, the control device further includes an air temperature sensor disposed in the hatching box 2 for monitoring the air temperature inside it. The air temperature sensor is electrically connected to the control device and is used to feedback the temperature in the hatching box 2 to the control device to help the control device make more accurate decisions.

[0068] When the system works, when the air temperature sensor inside the hatching box 2 is lower than the set temperature, the heater 6 works to increase the temperature of the water in the water circulation system. When the actual temperature of the liquid temperature sensor in the upper water tank 3 exceeds the set temperature, the heater 6 stops working.

[0069] Among them, the liquid temperature sensor has a higher priority than the air temperature sensor, that is, when the actual temperature of the water temperature sensor in the upper water tank 3 exceeds the set temperature while the air temperature sensor inside the hatching box 2 is lower than the set temperature, the heater 6 is in a stopped working state.

[0070] In some other embodiments of the present invention, the temperature regulating device further includes a cooler 5, and the cooler 5 can cool the inside of the hatching box 2 when the room temperature is higher than the set temperature. When the air temperature sensor inside the hatching box 2 is higher than the set temperature and the actual temperature of the liquid temperature sensor in the upper water tank 3 is higher than the set temperature, the heater 6 stops working and the cooler 5 is turned on. Its working process is the same as that during heating and will not be elaborated here.

[0071] Preferably, the cooler 5 is a refrigeration air conditioner including a compressor.

[0072] Under the regulation of the control device, this system can make the actual hatching temperature range be the set temperature ±0.2 degrees. Compared with the actual hatching temperature range of ±0.5 degrees of traditional commercial hatching boxes, it has a more stable hatching temperature range, which helps to improve the hatching rate.

[0073] In some other embodiments of the present invention, a fan 10 for disturbing the air in the hatching box 2 is further disposed in the hatching box 2. Under the action of the fan 10, the air in the hatching box 2 can move to ensure the uniformity of the temperature in the hatching box 2.

[0074] In some other embodiments of the present invention, a water injection port 8 is further provided on the side wall of the lower water tank 4. The lowest point of the water injection port 8 is not lower than the highest water level of the water body in the lower water tank 4, thereby effectively preventing the water body in the lower water tank 4 from overflowing.

[0075] Compared with traditional commercial incubators, the temperature change is slow when the temperature is adjusted in this incubation system. For the commercial system, it takes 2 - 5 minutes to heat up by 0.5 degrees, while this system can reach more than 6 hours to heat up by 0.5 degrees. For the incubation process with variable temperature control, this system has obvious advantages.

[0076] For the sake of description, spatial relative terms, such as "above", "on top of", "on the upper surface", "upper", etc., can be used here to describe the spatial positional relationship between a device or feature shown in the figure and other devices or features. It should be understood that the spatial relative terms are intended to include different orientations in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figure. For example, if the device in the figure is inverted, the device described as "above" or "on top of" other devices or structures will then be positioned "below" or "beneath" other devices or structures. Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both the orientations of "above" and "below". The device can also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and corresponding interpretations will be made for the spatial relative descriptions used here.

[0077] It should be noted that the terms used here are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present application. As used here, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form. In addition, it should be understood that when the terms "comprise" and / or "include" are used in this specification, they specify the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0078] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the description, claims and drawings of the present application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances so that the embodiments of the present application described here can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described here.

[0079] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention can have various modifications and changes. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for hatching yellow-margined box turtles capable of controlling the sex ratio, characterized in that: include: Before hatching, provide sufficient nutrition and a suitable egg-laying environment for fully mated breeding turtles, and wait for the female turtles to enter the egg-laying season to lay eggs; Collect the eggs after the female turtle enters the egg-laying season and lays eggs, and transfer the collected eggs to the hatching box; In the first incubation stage, the eggs in the incubator are incubated at a constant temperature of 29°C, and eggs with weak sperm or unfertilized eggs are removed during the incubation process; In the second incubation stage, the eggs in the incubator are incubated at a temperature lowered by 0.5°C per day based on the temperature in the first incubation stage; In the third incubation stage, the turtle eggs in the incubation box are incubated at a constant temperature at the temperature at the end of the second incubation stage; In the fourth incubation stage, the eggs in the incubator are incubated at a temperature that is increased by 0.5°C every day based on the temperature at the end of the third incubation stage until the temperature reaches 29°C, and then enter the next incubation stage; In the fifth incubation stage, the turtle eggs in the incubation box are incubated at a constant temperature of 29°C until the turtle eggs are hatched.

2. The method for hatching a yellow-margined box turtle as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: When the number of male yellow-margined box turtles to be hatched is greater than the number of females, the first hatching stage is from the beginning of hatching to the 23rd day, a total of 24 days; the second hatching stage is from the 24th day to the 29th day, a total of 6 days; the third hatching stage is from the 30th day to the 32nd day, a total of 3 days; the fourth hatching stage is from the 33rd day to the 38th day, a total of 6 days; Among them, the incubation temperature at the beginning of the second incubation stage is 29°C; the incubation temperature at the end of the second incubation stage is 26°C; the incubation temperature of the third incubation stage is 26°C; and the incubation temperature at the beginning of the fourth incubation stage is 26°C.

3. The method for hatching a yellow-margined box turtle as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: When the number of male and female yellow-margined box turtles hatched is equal, the first hatching stage is from the beginning of hatching to the 26th day, a total of 26 days; the second hatching stage is from the 27th day to the 29th day, a total of 3 days; the third hatching stage is from the 30th day to the 32nd day, a total of 3 days; the fourth hatching stage is from the 33rd day to the 35th day, a total of 3 days; Among them, the incubation temperature at the beginning of the second incubation stage is 29°C; the incubation temperature at the end of the second incubation stage is 27.5°C; the incubation temperature of the third incubation stage is 27.5°C; and the incubation temperature at the beginning of the fourth incubation stage is 27.5°C.

4. The method for hatching a yellow-margined box turtle as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: When the female turtle enters the egg-laying season and shows signs of egg-laying, take the following actions: Search the pond every day and pay special attention to female turtles that show signs of laying eggs or transfer them to a separate egg-laying pond; Prepare the incubation box. Fill the incubation box with 4 / 5 of vermiculite and add the same amount of water and shake well. After the female turtle lays eggs, dig them out in time and transfer them to the incubation box.

5. The method for hatching a yellow-margined box turtle as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that: When the female turtle enters the egg-laying season and shows signs of laying eggs, if the female turtle still does not lay eggs for more than half a month, inject oxytocin in time. Supplement calcium gluconate 1 hour before injection. Oxytocin is injected into the hind leg muscle at a dose of 1ml / kg.

6. The method for hatching a yellow-margined box turtle as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: In the first incubation stage, the turtle eggs in the incubation box are incubated at a constant temperature of 29°C, and the eggs with weak sperm or unfertilized eggs are removed during the incubation process. When the turtle eggs are incubated for 120 hours, the box is opened for inspection and the turtle eggs without fertilization rings in the incubation box are removed from the incubation box in time.

7. The method for hatching a yellow-margined box turtle as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: In the fifth incubation stage, the eggs are opened for inspection when they have been incubated for 45 days to check the size of the air chamber of the eggs; if the air chamber exceeds 1 / 3 of the volume of the eggs, put the eggs back into the incubator after inspection; if the air chamber exceeds 1 / 3 of the volume of the eggs, slowly inject 1 / 10 of the weight of vermiculite into the incubator from the edges of the incubator box. Do not sprinkle it directly on the eggs, and put the inspected eggs back into the incubator.

8. The method for hatching a yellow-margined box turtle as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that: In the fifth incubation stage, from the 70th day of incubation to the time when the eggs hatch, the boxes are opened for inspection every day. An air hole is opened at the head of the eggs whose blood has disappeared, and the eggs with the air holes opened are put back into the incubation box.

9. The method for hatching a yellow-margined box turtle as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that: In the fifth incubation stage, the baby turtles that are unable to break out of the shell will be artificially broken after the yolk is collected. The baby turtles that have broken out of the shell will be taken out of the shell 24 hours after the yolk is completely collected, rinsed with clean water at the same temperature as the incubation temperature, and placed in the breeding environment.

10. A system for hatching yellow-margined box turtles, characterized in that: The method for hatching a yellow-margined box turtle according to any one of claims 1 to 9 comprises: An outer shell box, a water circulation system and an incubator box arranged in the outer shell box; The incubator box is provided with one or more layers of incubation partitions capable of placing incubation boxes; The water circulation system comprises an upper water tank, a lower water tank and a temperature regulating device arranged in the lower water tank; The upper water tank is a sealed structure and is fixedly mounted on the upper end of the incubator; the upper water tank is completely isolated from the incubator by an upper water tank sealing plate at its bottom end; The lower water tank is fixedly arranged at the lower end of the incubator; the lower water tank is separated from the incubator by a lower water tank orifice plate at the top thereof; a plurality of vents which can communicate with the interior of the incubator are arranged in an array on the lower water tank orifice plate; The upper water tank and the lower water tank are connected via an upper water pipe and a lower water pipe; The lower end of the upper water pipe is connected to the water pump outlet arranged in the lower water tank; the upper end of the upper water pipe is connected to the upper water tank; the lowest point of the upper end of the upper water pipe is higher than the sealing surface of the upper water tank; The upper port of the lower water pipe is connected to the upper water tank; the lowest point of the upper port of the lower water pipe is higher than the sealing surface of the upper water tank, and the lowest point of the upper port of the lower water pipe is lower than the lowest point of the upper port of the upper water pipe; the lower port of the lower water pipe is connected to the lower water tank; The water circulation system is configured to provide a preset hatching temperature for the incubator in the first hatching stage, the second hatching stage, the third hatching stage, the fourth hatching stage and the fifth hatching stage by regulating the temperature of the water circulating therein.

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