Turtles House

Foods

The wood turtles eats both animal and plant food items, including berries, herbs, algae, moss, fungi, grass, insects, mollusks, earthworms, dead fish, tadpoles, newborn mice and other turtles‘ eggs. It will forage on the ground, in the water, in herbaceous vegetation, and on logs.

Habitat

Prefer lowland hardwood forests and open wet meadows associated with moderate to fast current streams and rivers with sand or gravel substrates. May forage in upland deciduous mesic forest and open meadows in summer. Use south facing sandy river banks or flat sandy soil openings adjacent to rivers for nesting sites, including gravel banks, roadsides, fields, and meadows. Hatchling and juveniles prefer alder thickets associated with shorelines and are considered critical habitat for this segment of the population.

Activity

The wood turtles is primarily diurnal, although Farrell and Graham (1991) have observed that mating and nesting can extend into the night. wood turtles regulate their body temperatures by basking in the sun or cooling off in puddles and mud. Depending on local climate, wood turtles begin hibernating in October or November and emerge in April or May.

Breeding and Propagation

Male and female wood turtles often engage in a courtship ritual that involves swinging their heads at each other. When the female is receptive, the male mounts her, usually in shallow water. They are most likely to mate in spring and fall, although they can mate at any time they are not hibernating. After mating, usually in the early summer, the female turtles build a nest in a sunny, sandy bank near water. She can only produce one clutch, usually consisting of between 5 and 13 eggs, per year. Most eggs fall prey to raccoons, shrews, skunks, and other animals. Eggs hatch after between 47 and 69 days of incubation. It is reported that unlike most turtles, the sex of the hatchling is not dependent on the temperature of incubation. It is estimated that fewer than 30% of the wood turtles eggs laid hatch each year.

Ecology

The wood turtles is one of the most terrestrial turtles in the United States, and is usually found inhabiting forested areas associated with rivers or streams. The species prefers streams with harder substrates, moderate currents and clear water. The wood turtles is omnivorous and may be observed eating insects, worms, and even strawberries and blackberries! Interestingly, researchers in central Pennsylvania and Michigan have also observed wood turtles “stomping” for worms! The activity involves an individual stomping with one front foot several times and then switching and stomping with the other front foot. Researchers speculate that the vibrations created by the turtles “stomping” the ground may mimic the vibrations produced by raindrops…and as most people know, worms surface during rainfall events. Once a worm surfaces, the wood turtles quickly eats it.

Diet

Radiateds are primarily herbivorous animals. Excessive protein as well as all animal protein should be avoided as they are highly prone to pyramiding. G. radiata are also extremely attracted to any foodstuff that are red in color.

Breeding and Propagation

Breeding should not be attempted until males and females are slightly larger than a foot. Males initiate breeding with a courtship ritual that consists of circling the female, sniffing her legs and bobbing his head. If the male begins trying to lift the female, do not worry, as this is quite normal. This behavior may be done to attempt to prevent her from moving away. The male will mount her from behind once she stops moving. After mating, the female will dig a nest and deposit anywhere from 3 to 12 eggs. In captivity, it can take anywhere from 145 to 231 days until hatching.

Biology

Males reach sexual maturity once they have attained a carapace length of around 30 cm. Rival males will fight during the breeding season and attempt to roll one another onto their backs. They initiate courtship by a head-bobbing display and smelling the female’s hind legs. This is followed by energetic circling and butting of the female’s carapace. Once mating has occurred, the female lays her clutch of 3–12 eggs in a nest dug into the ground. Eggs are laid at the end of the wet season, between February and April, and hatch after 10 months or more. Hatchlings emerge within a few weeks of one another at the onset of the next rains, in November or December.

Radiated tortoises graze on vegetation such as leaves and grasses, flowers, fruit and cacti. During much of the year dead leaves also make up a substantial part of their diet.

Physiology

It is one of the most beautiful tortoise species. The shell has dark plates with bright yellow lines radiating from the center of each shell. It has a high-domed carapace, blunt head, and elephantine feet. Its legs and feet are yellow, as is its head except a black patch on top. Males generally have a longer tail than females.

Threats

The principal activity threatening the tortoise is collection for consumption and the wildlife trade. This is conducted by organized groups with large-scale operations, as well as by individual collectors who plunder as they can. The destruction of habitat is also a key threat, not only to the Radiated tortoises, but to the integrity for southern Madagascar. The production of cash crops destined for export have fueled a rapid clearance of natural habitats where vast tracts of spiny forest have been permanently transformed to low-grade grassland where few native species can survive. Recent analyses of satellite images for the period between years 1990 and 2000 show that this region has lost more natural habitat cover than any other part of the country. In August 2005, an international meeting of the Population and Habitat Viability Assessment (PHVA) group produced an alarming prediction that without immediate and significant intervention, a viable population of radiateda tortoises will likely be extirpated from the wild within one tortoise generation, that is, 45 years.

Reproduction

Males first mate upon attaining lengths of about 12 inches (31 cm); females may need to be a few inches longer. The male begins this fairly noisy procedure by bobbing his head and smelling the female’s hind legs and cloaca. In some cases the male may lift the female up with the front edge of his shell to keep her from moving away.

The male then proceeds to mount the female from the rear while striking the anal region of his plastron against the female’s carapace. Hissing and grunting by the male during mating is common. Females lay from three to 12 eggs in a pre-excavated hole six to eight inches (15 to 20 cm) deep and then depart.

Incubation is quite long in this species, lasting usually between five and eight months. Juveniles are between 1.25 to 1.6 inches (3.2 to 4 cm) upon hatching. Unlike the yellow coloration of the adults, the juveniles are a white to an off-white shade. Juveniles attain the high-domed carapace soon after hatching.

Distribution

Leopard Tortoises are found in hot, dry scrubland areas in southern Africa. They live in the underbrush, seeking refuge from the heat under brushy plants and other shady areas. They browse on grass and plant growth.

Diet

A high fiber, low protein and calcium rich diet will ensure good digestive tract function and smooth growth. Geochelone pardalis fed on cat or dog foods frequently die from renal failure or from impacted bladder stones of solidified urates. Avoid over reliance upon ’supermarket’ greens and fruits, which typically contain inadequate fiber levels, excessive pesticide residues and are too rich in sugar and should be avoided. Leopard tortoises are a grazing species; every effort should be made to duplicate this diet in captivity. Fruit should be offered very rarely or not at all.

Characteristics

The Geochelone pardalis characterized from a design much beautiful one of the carapace similar to the spots of the leopardo, from which it draws its name, with which seems to camouflage itself in the savana.

Carapace the much convex and its coloration pu to vary very, from a light brown to the yellow with devout irregular dark brown spots or, to the contrary, with a background dark brown and spots in Association of Bologna devout clear. It has a piastrone yellow in which the pu to be present characteristic macchiettatura and the skin pu to assume various brown shadings.

The testuggine leopardo catches up one remarkable length and one long average life, of approximately 75 years.

Medium its dimensions are gone around around to i 35/40 cm for 15/20 kg but exceptionally pu arriving to beyond 60 cm for 40 kg of weight.

Like every pertaining to the Geochelone kind lacking in nucale shield.

Hibernation

Whilst tortoises in our climate do not strictly “hibernate”, they do go through a “slowdown” of all activity. They will sleep more and eat less and generally just “park off” each day. Some will dig themselves into a “burrow” and remain there for long periods. Other than a general health check now and again leave them alone. Do not continue with ANY kitchen food during winter, this is a time when their digestive system needs a rest. Once spring arrives they will slowly become more active and start eating in larger quantities. It is most important for them to drink well during spring, this can be encouraged by “soaking” in a tub of tepid water to the level of their plastron (bottom shell) for half to one hour. Note: Ensure water level does not reach nostrils. They should drink and defecate during this time. Tortoises are temperature dependant, they will not eat until they are warm enough and the days lengthen. If at any time during winter you think your tortoise may be in trouble, warm him up under a lamp or heater (temperature 25-30 degrees C or 80-90 degrees F), soak him for half an hour in tepid water with electrolytes added and observe if he drinks. Weigh him before soaking and afterwards. Take him to your vet for a total physical.

Conversely, during very hot summer days tortoises will aestivate (go into a torpor) and will not eat. Available water during this time is critical as a tortoise can dehydrate quickly, although tortoises are very adept at storing water in anal pouches for use during drought.

Description

sea turtles, air-breathing reptiles with streamlined bodies and large flippers, are well adapted to life in the marine environment. They inhabit tropical and subtropical ocean waters throughout the world. Of the seven species of sea turtles, six are found in U.S. waters: green, hawksbill, Kemp’s ridley, leatherback, loggerhead, and olive ridley.

Although sea turtles live most of their lives in the ocean, adult females must return to beaches on land to lay their eggs. They often migrate long distances between foraging grounds and nesting beaches.

Behavior

sea turtles spend most of their lives in the water, where not much information can be gathered on their behavior. Most of what is known about sea turtles behavior is obtained by observing hatchlings and females that leave the water to lay eggs. When females come to the shore they dig out a nest in the ground with their back flippers, lay eggs in it, cover it up and go back to the ocean. After hatching, the young may take as long as a week to dig themselves out of the nest. They emerge at night, move toward the ocean and remain there, solitary, until it is time to mate.

Threats

Human activity has greatly reduced the sea turtles population through capture, harvesting of eggs, alteration and destruction of nesting beaches, ocean pollution, and fishing and shrimp nets.

Reproduction

Adult female sea turtles return to the beach where they were born to lay up to 200 soft-shelled eggs in the sand. When the baby turtles hatch, they immediately head for the nearby water. Many young turtles are eaten by birds and other predators during this difficult trip. It has been estimated that only 1% of these hatchlings will reach adulthood. No one knows how the females find the beach where they were born.

Life Cycle

Most sea turtles return to the beach where they themselves hatched, often travelling hundreds of kilometres to do so. Because their bodies are well developed to a life in the sea, sea turtles move slowly and with difficulty on land. The females drag themselves up the beach to find a spot to dig a hole in which to lay their eggs. It is a long, slow process as each female lays several hundred eggs that look a bit like ping pong balls, then fills in the hole and returns exhausted to the sea. When the eggs hatch, the tiny hatchlings dig out of the sand and dash for the sea. There are many birds, crabs and animals waiting to grab them as they make their way to the sea, where other predators are waiting also. These are natural hazards. Only about 1% of all hatchlings reach adulthood.

Description

Distinguishing Features: High domed shell which is variably pattered with a light stripe down the midline, and a wide pale band on each side that often contains black streaks. Plastron variably black and yellow, ranging from dark brown or black to yellow. Light stripe down the midline and broad light coloration along each side with dark speckles, dashes and irregular stripes or blotching. Hinged plastron. (Stuart et al., 2001)

Diet

Carnivorous. Small animals.

Habitat

Although it readily enters water, C. galbinifrons is probably one of the least aquatic species of Cuora. Its habitat appears to be bushy, upland woodlands and forests at rather high elevations (Bourret, 1941). De Bruin and Artner (in press) could not confirm its occurrence on the coastal plains of Hainan, as reported earlier by Weiss (1989).

Natural History

De Bruin (1994a) described a copulation attempt in captive animals: while bobbing his head, the male approached the female from her side, followed immediately by a wild chase. The male tried to capture the female by biting her head and forelegs, inflicting serious wounds on her limbs.

In captivity, a clutch comprises 1-3 eggs (Ron de Bruin, pers. comm.). The eggs are hard-shelled and oval, measuring 56.9 x 27.6 mm. Incubation of two successfully hatched young lasted 65 and 72 days (at 28-29°C). These hatchlings measured 4.5 and 5.0 cm in plastron length and weighed 15 and 24 g respectively. At the age of two, the plastral hinge still was absent (De Bruin, 1994a).

Captives feed on a variety of animal foods including earthworms, fish, pieces of beef, and canned dog food.

Description

The variability of cuora trifasciata sensu lato is analyzed. The data clearly indicate that geographic isolation has resulted in distinct populations within this species, leading to the description here of the genetically and morphologically distinct species Cuora cyclornata, sp. nov., found from south-central Vietnam to western Guangxi Province, China and its subspecies Cuora cyclornata meieri, ssp. nov. restricted to northern Vietnam and western Guangxi Province, China. The holotype of cuora trifasciata sensu stricto is herein identified, redescribed and genetically assigned to its locality of origin. Other genetically and morphologically distinct forms are discussed but for lack of sufficient data are not taxonomically described here. An overview of the literature, distribution, habitat and vulnerability of cuora trifasciata and Cuora cyclornata are given.

Habitat

Mell (1922) collected cuora trifasciata in clear mountain streams at elevations of 50 to 400 m in southern Guangdong, but it probably occurs in other aquatic situations. Captives frequently bask and are often quite terrestrial, so this species probably spends much time on land.

Diet

Omnivorous. Frogs, crabs, worms, fruits, vegetation and carrion. Captives do well on a fish diet

Plastron

Dark with yellow border and front, and underside of the marginals yellow or orange with occasional black spots. Hinged plastron allows the turtles to close up its shell like a box.

Description

A small (max. carapace length = 17.6 cm [7 in.]) turtles with a prominent vertebral keel present in all individuals from hatchling to old adult. Carapace light brown to orange, with dark spots or streaks; pattern may become obscure as individuals age. Lacks gular scute of other kinosternids, which typically have 11 plastral scutes. Plastron an immaculate yellow. Skin of head and legs gray to brown or pinkish, with small dark spots. In cross-section, shell has one keel and a sharp slope, shell of stripe-necked Razorback musk turtle one keel with a gentle slope, and shell of the loggerhead Razorback musk turtle has a central vertebral keel, with a pair of secondary lateral keels (Carr 1952, Conant and Collins 1991, Ernst et al. 1994). Based on similarity of pattern and coloration, Razorback musk turtle appears more closely related to flattened musk and loggerhead Razorback musk turtle; stripe-necked and loggerhead Razorback musk turtle were once considered subspecies of Razorback musk turtle. Electrophoretic studies, however, have shown the Razorback musk turtle to be more closely related to the stinkpot (Ernst et al. 1994).

Diet

In captivity, Does well on high quality turtles pellets such as Mazuri and Reptomin, as well as earth worms, crawdads and feeder fish on occasion.

Habitat

Being more aquatic than the closely related mud turtles, razorback musk prefer a greater sized water area. Razorback musk are well able to thrive in deep water habitat. Though infrequent baskers, ample opportunity to do so is important. A spotlight over their basking area will be utilized. This area can be in the form of a rock projecting from the water, or in the case of young specimens, floating aquatic plants are preferred. Razorbacks are more shy by nature than other species of musk turtles, and a substrate of river pebbles seems to give them a greater sense of security.

History

Females mature at a carapace length of about 10 cm, which is reached in 4-5 years; males at 10-12 cm, in 5-6 years. Spermatogenesis begins in June and peaks bymid-August when the testes attain maximum size (Mahmoud and Klicka, 1972). During the last half of August though the middle of September the testes shrink as mature sperm are released to the epididymides. Testes size continues to decline through December when the testes weigh the least. No spermatogenesis occurs from January to April, but mature sperm descend into the vas deferens in March and April. In females, follicular growth proceeds slowly from September to November, and possibly also from December through February (Mahmoud and Klicka, 1972). In March and April follicles are yolked and enlarge, and during May and June grow at their fastest rate. Ovulation and oviposition also occur then. The largest corpora lutea are present when eggs are still in the oviducts, but begin to degenerate to corpora albicantia shortly after oviposition. There is no significant follicular growth during July and August.

Courtship and mating occur in the spring, and the acts are identical to those of Sternotherus odoratus (which see for details).

Presumably, nesting occurs from April through June, as females with oviducal eggs have been found during this period. At least two clutches of two to four white, elongated, brittle-shelled eggs are laid each year. Hatchlings emerge in August and September with carapace lengths of 23-31 mm and often three carapacial keels.

S. carinatus is omnivorous, feeding on insects, crustaceans, snails, clams, amphibians, and aquatic plants.

S. carinatus is a habitual basker; a full sunlight position on steeply angled branches of small diameter was recorded in about 74% of the observations by Lindeman (1996c).

Distribution

Southeastern Oklahoma to southern and eastern Texas, southern Arkansas, Louisiana, south-central Mississippi, and extreme southwestern Alabama. In Alabama, only reported from Escatawpa River (Blankenship et al. 1995). Mount (1975) felt species might be present in Alabama, but at the time of his writing had not been found (Conant and Collins 1991, Ernst et al. 1994, Mount 1975).

Description

The chicken turtles have unusually long necks and large, inquisitive eyes. Their shells vary but many have amazingly beautiful green and yellow whirls and rings. They have a yellow plastron and a characteristic vertically striped rump. Adult female chicken turtles can grow to 12”, with mature males being slightly smaller.

Size: From 4 to 6 inches (10-15.2 cm) in length.

Characteristics

This is a moderate-sized freshwater turtles that is similar in appearance to the eastern painted turtles, Chrysemys picta, but has an extraordinarily long neck, an elongated, finely wrinkled, and reticulated carapace, and vertical striping on the rump. The average carapace length is about 5 inches. The carapace is brown to olive with a reticulate (netlike) yellow to light brown pattern. Black spots may be present on the underside of the marginal scutes. The plastron is usually plain yellow, and some turtles may have a poorly defined, faded posterior blotch. Thin yellow stripes appear on the black skin of the neck. Juveniles are colored and patterned as adults but are brighter. No other Virginia turtles has such a long head and neck. This species may nest at anytime during the year; no description of reproductive behavior has been published. The female can retain eggs for up to 6 months when nesting conditions are not right. When she does lay, she may lay 7 to 15 eggs. chicken turtles are basking turtles, sometimes seen on logs and stumps. This species is given to wandering long distances from water and can often be found along road sides and in flat woods.

Habitat

chicken turtles are semi-aquatic turtles, found both water and land. They prefer quiet bodies of water: Ponds, lakes, ditches, marshes, cypress swamps, and Carolina Bays. They prefer water with plenty of vegetation and soft substrate. chicken turtles are tolerant of ephemeral aquatic habitats and readily travel onto land to burrow into the soil and escape dry conditions. They been found at water depths of a few centimeters to more than 2 m.

Care and Feeding

chicken turtles exhibit the typical change in feeding patterns seen in many freshwater turtles. Hatchling and young turtles feed on aquatic insects, tadpoles, and crayfish. As they grow they will tend to move toward a more omnivorous diet, and begin to eat more and more plant material. In captivity they are enthusiastic feeders on commercial turtles diets, fish, and invertebrates, and will also eat aquatic plants such as water lettuce, water hyacinth, watercress, and romaine lettuce, kale, carrot tops, and other greens.

Care must be taken that these, and any turtles, are not released into a wild habitat. The reasons are many. The introduction of non-native species can lead to the introduction of diseases and can lead to hybridization of introduced and native species. In addition, many turtles raised in captivity and released into wild situations are confused, unable to cope with extreme weather changes, and many surely fall prey quite quickly to the wary predators they may encounter.

Ecology

chicken turtles inhabit still waters with a soft bottom that contain plenty of aquatic vegetation. These include ponds, lakes, ditches, marshes, swamps and bays. The species is known to frequently wander on land and spends much time basking.

Description

The mud turtles is a small, nondescript reptile, measuring 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm). The shell of the mud turtles is usually smooth and dark brown or olive. It has only 11 marginal scutes (plates) rather than the 12 found on most turtles. The plastron (lower shell) is yellow to brown, double-hinged, with 11 plates. Males have a well-developed, blunt spine at the tip of the tail and rough scaly patches on the inside of the hind legs.mud turtles are easily distinguishable from sinilar musk turtles by looking at the underside of the shell (plastron). mud turtles have a large plastron with two moveable hinges. The head of the eastern mud turtles is often spotted but lacks the yellow or white stripesof the striped mud turtles and common musk turtles. Young mud turtles tend to be darker than the older individuals and hatchlings have reddish or orange blotches on the plastron.

Male mud turtles are generally larger than the female of the species, and have larger heads and thicker tails.The male’s tail has a blunt spine on the end, but the female’s tail does not.

mud turtles usually breed between March and May, and they can live to be over 50 years old, providing they can steer clear of predators. Mud and their close relatives the musk turtles (also known as stinkpots), can secrete a foul smelling fluid from their anal scent glands. mud turtles raised in captivity may never even use this defense mechanism, as it is only used as a last resort against predators in the wild.

Habitat

This turtles is semi-aquatic and hence spends more time on land than many other turtles. Any shallow waterway serves as an ideal environment, such as ponds, cattle tanks and lakes. They also commonly are found in canals, ditches and other slow-moving waterways; they have a distinct tolerance to brackish water.

Diet

mud turtles are omnivorous, but in general they prefer to eat insects, tadpoles, and fish. Special turtles food will also do in captivity. As it is with other pet turtles, a large tank is recommended, and you must provide a sizeable dry land area so the turtles can rest, and enough clean (not muddy) water for it to be able to enjoy an refreshing swim. Because of their smaller size, mud turtles are easier to accommodate indoors; however, if you decide to set up your mud turtles’s habitat outside the house, bear in mind that they, like the box turtles, like to hibernate. For this, the pen should have a sheltered and muddy area, as mud turtles will generally dig deep in the mud to hide during the winter months.

Life History

Like other turtles, the yellow mud turtles spends time basking in the sun. Although these turtles are aquatic, they often leave the water to find food, to nest, or even to migrate to another area if their home dries up.

Life History

Most of the life history information is based on studies conducted at the southern end of the range. Breeding occurs soon after the turtles leave hibernation, which in New York occurs from late April to May. In June, the female digs a 3-5 inch cavity in vegetative debris or in sandy loam soil, where she deposits 2-6 eggs. In the south, three clutches are typically laid each year, but in New York, one clutch is most likely. The eggs incubate for an average of 76 days, but may overwinter in the nest. Muskrat and beaver lodges are occasionally used as nest sites. Females reportedly reach sexual maturity in 5-8 years; males require only 4-7 years. In New York, though, sexual maturity may take 8-11 years.

Status

The mud turtles is the rarest species of turtles in New York. mud turtles are seen crossing roads, most likely in search of nest sites or water. turtles killed by passing cars are a very significant loss to populations. Draining wetlands for urban and industrial development has impacted populations, reducing the amount of suitable habitat. Upland nesting and hibernation sites have also been impacted by land clearing, development and fragmentation from road construction. Overcollecting for the illegal pet trade exploits adults necessary for sustaining populations.