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Description:
The European Pond turtle
has an oval and smooth carapace, which is often black or
dark brown with yellow specks or steaks scattered all over.
They range in size from 4 – to sometimes 9 inches. Their
size is based on their geographical location. There is
known to be about 13 different subspecies of European pond
turtles, so it is best to keep them separated based on their
locality. |
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Distribution:
The European Pond turtle
ranges throughout continental Europe, north western Asia and
North Africa. At one time they once roamed Sweden, Denmark,
Great Britain, the Netherlands and Estonia, but they are
known to be extinct from these countries. Countries they
are often seen in are, France, Italy, Spain, Southern
Germany, Turkey, Iran, Romania, Poland, Balkan States and
Russia. |
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Habitat:
These turtles are found in still
or slow moving fresh water, kind of like a spotted turtle.
This turtle is often seen basking on logs in these ponds,
marshes or slow moving streams. When disturbed, this
species will more likely dive to the bottom and hide. Some
of their habitat loss and pollution has caused this species
to slowly decline in certain areas. These turtles can
withstand very cold and hot temperatures. In the winter,
some of their habitat gets extremely cold, but even when the
weather is freezing European pond turtles always seem a
little active underneath the ice. And then when the weather
gets too hot, they aestivate and burrow in the cool mud. |
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Breeding: European
pond turtles are capable to breed at around 4 years of age
but yet you will see a little aggressiveness at around 2-3
years of age. Orbicularis are commonly seen breeding right
after a cooling period. The turtles slow their system down
and become very sluggish and then when temperatures rise,
they become very active and hungry, males become very
aggressive breeders. If you plan to breed your European
pond turtles, the best method is to put them down for a
cooling period for about 3 months. This means drop their
temperatures gradually until around 35-45 degrees. Once
they are woken up from hibernation which is also done
gradually, unless they are super thin do not feed them right
away. The male will be more aggressive. Fat and lazy
turtles have no sexual drive and will most likely bask all
day or keep eating. |
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Egg-Laying:
These pond turtles are
capable of laying up to 16 eggs in one clutch, but most lay
around 4 - 8. Females will usually deposit their eggs in
the ground in late spring. These eggs are white elliptical
oval shaped eggs that measure around 1 - 1.25 inches long.
They will sit in the ground at the desired site the female
chose and incubate for about 60-75 days in outdoors or
sometimes hatch out quicker when artificially incubated.
Most of the time a female will lay her eggs up against the
base of a plant with an overhang. I think this is because
they like to lay at night and it hides them a little bit
from predators during the laying of the eggs. |
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Enclosure: Adult
European pond turtles can be housed in an aquarium or tub
with approximately 8-10 inches of water, depending on the
size of their enclosure. No turtle is good at swimming
directly straight up to the top for air. Artificial plants
are good for indoor enclosures as they do not die. Live
plants do well in outdoor enclosures. Hiding places allow
the turtle to be stress free sometimes. A basking log is a
good idea with either natural sunlight or a clamp light with
a heat bulb about a food above it. This allows the turtle
to dry off and be completely dry to prevent fungus from
growing on its skin or shell. Make sure that if which ever
enclosure you build or use, that it has some kind of escape
proof wall. These turtles can be very good climbers at
times. |
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Feeding:
These
turtles are mainly omnivorous which means they will eat both
meat and plant matter. Some will nibble at duckweed and
other live vegetation in the water. Most of the time they
will hunt for meat, such as earthworms, snails or fish.
Brand name foods
can be offered as a good source of food. Reptomin seems to
be the most popular and aquamax or Purina trout chow. Just
make sure which ever you choose, it has the proper vitamins
and nutrition it needs. Cuttlefish bone is a good calcium
source. It helps their shell growth to be nice and smooth. |
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Illnesses:
The best
thing to do is just to prevent your turtle from getting sick
in the first place, which means keeping them in a stress
free environment. This means lots of space, hiding areas,
basking log, plenty of food, proper lighting and clean
water.
Any abnormal
actions that look life threatening, be sure to contact your
local vet as they will help you with your problem.
Scrapes and cuts
can be treated with Neosporin. Respiratory / colds can be
treated with fortaz or baytril. Normosol is a drug that can
be used for a dehydrated turtle. Your local vet should be
able to provide you with all your medication needs. |
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AL ROACH |
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