European marsh turtle: description and photo

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Marsh turtles belong to the class of freshwater reptiles. These reptiles spend most of their lives in ponds, lakes, rivers or canals. Sometimes they can also be seen on lawns basking in the sun, in forests and even in mountainous areas near water bodies.

There are several types of such turtles. Reptiles live on the continents of both the Southern and Northern Hemispheres. One of the brightest representatives of this family is the European marsh turtle. It is this variety that is most often found in the wild in the Northern Hemisphere.

General Description

The main distinguishing feature of the European bog turtle (Emys orbicularis) is an oval shell. The carapace of representatives of this species is low, smooth, slightly convex. The color of the shell of Emys orbicularis can be brown or dark olive. On the surface of the carapace of these reptiles, as well as on their skin, diverging bright yellow dots or dashes are visible. The reptile looks pretty spectacular and attractive.

Plastron in the European bog turtle (photorepresentatives of this species are presented) usually has a lighter shade than the shell. Most often it is colored yellow or brown. The beak, unlike many other varieties of turtles, Emys orbicularis does not have. Jaw edges are smooth.

Another distinguishing feature of this species are long claws on all legs and moderately developed swimming membranes. The tail of Emys orbicularis is relatively long. This is especially true for male European marsh turtles. Emys orbicularis has 5 toes on its front paws and 4 on its hind paws.

Marsh turtles are born almost black. Over time, the color of their shell, plastron and skin gradually becomes lighter. The body length of newborn reptiles of this species is usually 1.5-2.5 cm. In adults, the carapace length can reach 18-25 cm. Emys orbicularis males are usually smaller than females. The weight of the European bog turtle in most cases is about 1.5 kg.

Where lives

In nature, Emys orbicularis can be found throughout Europe, northern Africa, Asia, Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, the Caucasus. In our country, the habitat of the European marsh turtle extends from the Smolensk region to the left bank of the Ural River.

Most often Emys orbicularis can be seen in lakes and ponds. In the rivers, this turtle is quite rare. The reptile prefers stagnant or, in extreme cases, slowly flowing water. Most of all, Emys orbicularis loves tightenedaquatic vegetation ponds with a muddy bottom.

The European marsh turtle, of course, does not have a gill. But, as scientists managed to find out, in case of danger, this reptile can sit under water without air for a whole day or even more (at an ambient temperature of 18 ° C). Under normal conditions, marsh turtles rise to the surface every quarter of an hour. In winter, reptiles of this species hibernate.

Character and habits of Emys orbicularis

Because the European bog turtle is a predator, its mental abilities are very well developed. In this regard, it significantly surpasses its herbivorous relatives and many other reptiles. In captivity, such turtles, for example, very quickly learn to recognize their owners, after a short period of time they begin to take food from their hands or from tweezers, etc. That is why this interesting species, along with predatory reds, is often kept in aquariums as pets.

The character of Emys orbicularis is not as bad as, for example, the same caiman turtle that bites for any reason. But representatives of this species can stand up for themselves very well and they never let offenders descend. Territoriality is also very well developed in the European tortoise. On a raft in an aquarium, for example, each of the reptiles of this species chooses its own personal place for itself. Subsequently, the turtle in every possible way protects its territory from the encroachments of relatives.

What eats

Being inreservoirs, turtles of this species can eat snails, worms, frogs, crustaceans. Very fond of Emys orbicularis, of course, and fish. Also, representatives of this species, although not in too large quantities, eat aquatic plants.

On land, European bog turtles feed mainly on insects, larvae and mice. They look for food in fallen leaves, in the grass, under the branches. Most often, Emys orbicularis is eaten on land. In the water, unlike red-eared sliders, they rarely feed. At the same time, in search of dinner, these reptiles use not only their eyesight, but also their sense of smell, which is very well developed in them.

Lifespan

Like most other turtles, Emys orbicularis are long-lived. However, unfortunately, such pets are inferior to many of their relatives in this regard. In nature, these reptiles, depending on environmental conditions, live for 40-50 years. In captivity, this period is usually reduced to 25 years.

How to breed

European marsh turtles reach puberty at the age of 5-8 years, the length of the shell at this age is 9-12 cm. plastron. This structure of the abdominal shield makes it easier for reptiles of this species to mate.

The breeding season, depending on the habitat, falls on the period from March to October. In Russia, Emys orbicularis usually mate in spring, early May. Marriagethe game of these turtles can take place both on land and in water and usually lasts about 10-15 minutes.

Sperm of the male is stored in the genital tract of the female for up to 1 year. Egg laying always takes place on the shore. In search of a suitable place to build a nest, females can move away from water bodies for a distance of several kilometers.

For a year, one turtle usually makes up to 3 clutches. The first time it happens in May. At the same time, the female often lays eggs fertilized by last year's sperm. For the second time, the turtle builds a nest at the end of June, and for the third time, closer to August. The nests of these reptiles are pits with a depth of 10 to 20 cm, having the shape of a jug. Emys orbicularis can lay from 3 to 19 neat, round, white-shelled eggs at a time.

Turtles of this species are born approximately 2, 5-3 months after laying. Late young immediately dig deeper into the sand and spend the winter there in hibernation. Such turtles begin to lead an active lifestyle only from next spring. Juveniles from late clutches usually reach the nearest body of water and overwinter there.

Interesting fact

As with most other turtle species, the sex of offspring in Emys orbicularis is determined by ambient temperature. If during the incubation period the sand warms up more than 30 ° C, females hatch from the eggs. At temperatures up to +27 C °, males are born. At intermediate values, turtles of both sexes hatch from eggs.

Subspecies

The distribution area of the European marsh turtle in the Northern Hemisphere is actually quite wide. At the same time, several different Emys orbicularis can live in different areas.

Today, 16 subspecies of such turtles are known, united in 5 groups. In Italy, for example, the Capalongo marsh turtle lives, in Turkey - Eyselta, in Spain - Obsta, etc. In Russia, the normative species Emys orbicularis orbicularis is found mainly, the length of the carapace of which usually reaches 23 cm.

Economic value

In the Middle Ages, people willingly ate the meat of the European marsh turtle. At the same time, such a product was quite popular. It was not forbidden to cook dishes from turtle meat, like fish, even during church posts. Currently, this product is, of course, not consumed.

For a long time it was believed that bog turtles are capable of causing significant damage to fish farms. However, later it turned out that this is not entirely true. Emys orbicularis - turtles are actually quite nimble both in water and on land. However, their attacks on fish are still unsuccessful in most situations. It is extremely rare for these reptiles to catch an impressive specimen in a pond. This fact is also confirmed by observations of Emys orbicularis in aquariums.

Marsh turtle home care

As already mentioned, the European tortoise is very often kept in apartments aspet. But, unfortunately, this reptile is currently considered an endangered species. In nature, as the researchers note, it is currently being actively replaced by the American marsh turtle. This reptile is listed in the Red Book in Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia, as well as in all European countries. Catching Emys orbicularis in nature is not worth it, of course, in Russia either. In any case, it will not work at home to create the same good conditions for this reptile as in the wild.

The marsh turtle got into the Red Book for a reason. Emys orbicularis really needs protection. But if for some reason the turtle still ended up in the house and there is no way to let it go into the pond or lake (it happens, for example, in winter), you must, of course, try to make her stay in the apartment as comfortable as possible. In order for the reptile not to get sick, first of all, you should purchase a sufficiently large aquarium for it. An adult turtle will need a container with a volume of at least 150-200 liters.

Aquarium when keeping marsh turtles is filled to about half or a little higher. Of course, fish are not planted in a container with a reptile. She may not be able to keep up with them, but it will not be difficult for her to watch for some gaping goop in a cramped aquarium. If desired, a pair of such turtles can be kept in one container of 200 liters.

Equipment

You will need to attach a raft to the glass of the container with the turtle on the suction cups. The reptile must have the opportunity to crawl out onto land from time to time. Otherwise the tortoise shellwill be covered with moss, and she will eventually get sick. A pile of stones is usually also placed under the raft. The weight of the turtles of this species is quite large. And climbing onto the raft without additional support from the reptile may not work.

Proper care of marsh turtles also involves the installation of two lamps above the aquarium - incandescent for heating and ultraviolet. The use of both of these devices is a prerequisite for the successful maintenance of such a turtle in captivity. Under the incandescent lamp, the pet will warm up. The source of ultraviolet Emys orbicularis is needed for the formation of the skeleton and shell. Without it, these parts of the reptile's body will soon begin to deform.

It is not necessary to heat the water in the aquarium when keeping a bog turtle at home. This reptile is not tropical and feels great at a temperature of 22-24 ° C. Above the raft, the air should warm up to 27-30 C °. In this case, the incandescent lamp in combination with ultraviolet will create the effect of sunlight over the aquarium.

Menu in captivity

Caring for a domestic marsh turtle is, of course, in proper feeding. The menu of such reptiles at room content should consist mainly of fish. Moreover, it is recommended to choose only low-fat varieties of such a product for the turtle.

You can feed such a reptile, for example, blue whiting, pollock, saffron cod. Fatty fish in Emys orbicularis can cause liver problems. Also, if desired, the turtle can be given earthworms, shrimp, squid, or extrasnails from a fish tank.

Juveniles of Emys orbicularis do not eat plant foods at all. Adult turtles need to be offered lettuce, dandelions, duckweed, carrots from time to time.

Young reptiles are usually fed once a day. At the same time, the turtles are offered a piece of food the size of its head, divided into several parts. Adult reptiles at home can be fed two to three times a week.