Young red-eared turtles look absolutely charming, and their unscrupulous sellers are prone to false promises, as if these reptiles will forever remain such babies. As a result of these animals often get absolutely far from terrarium people planning to keep them in a common decorative aquarium. However, the fate of these turtles is often sad.
Content
- 1 rubella freshwater turtle in nature
- 1.1 Appearance and lifestyle
- 1.2 Original natural habitat
- 1.3 rubella tortoise as an invasive species
- 2 rubella in home aquarium and terrarium
- 2.1 Aquarium and terrarium equipment for rubella turtles
- 2.2 Temperature and lighting features
- 2.3 Compatibility with aquarium plants, fish and others animals
- 2.4 Safety rules for keeping red-eared turtles
- 2.5 Features of feeding
- 3 Reproduction of red-eared turtles
Trachemis freshwater turtle in nature
In the wild, the red-eared turtle lives in water bodies. subtropical and tropical zones.
Two red-eared turtles: a cub and an adult
Appearance and lifestyle
The length of the shell of adult turtles reaches 30–35 cm in females and 20–25 cm in males, and in newborn cubs – only 3 cm. lower abdominal side, carapace yellowish with beautiful dark spots of irregular shape.
On the ventral side, the shell is yellowish with dark spots.
The upper side of the shell of young turtles is greenish with a thin striped pattern, in adults it becomes olive brown and is often covered with algae.
Young green turtles look charming
On the side of the head there is a bright red stripe, beyond which the tortoise got its name trash.
These turtles spend most of the day in the water, regularly rising to its surface for breathing air. IN in warm weather turtles often crawl ashore or sticking out of water driftwood to bask in the sun and get the necessary portion of ultraviolet radiation. They feed only in water. Natural diet of the Red-eared Turtle:
- live and dead fish
- aquatic insects and crustaceans,
- snails
- tadpoles
- water plants.
Young turtles eat mainly animal food, as they grow older they become more herbivorous.
Original natural habitat
The homeland of the red-eared turtle is the southeastern part of the USA and Mexico. Its original habitat is small bodies of water heated by the sun with still water and marshy shores. Beautiful appearance young turtles attracted the attention of pet lovers, and from this began the spread of the red-eared turtle around to the world.
Rubella tortoise as an invasive species
Bored adult turtles are often thrown into water by people. your region. This animal was very hardy and showed ability to easily adapt to new conditions. As a result in nowadays the red-eared turtle is widespread in reservoirs of North and South America, many countries of Southeast Asia, in southern and western Europe, in Australia and in South Africa. Nimble and gluttonous red-eared turtles cause noticeable damage to natural ecosystems, crowding out more tender indigenous species. In Australia and in California, this turtle is officially declared a pest.
In many countries, red-eared turtles have taken root in the wild nature
In the warm season, trachemys are often found in reservoirs of Moscow. Where warm runoff preserves ponds non-freezing, it is in principle capable of wintering. The real danger of the red-eared turtle may be for aquatic ecosystems of the Caucasus and Lower Volga. At freezing water reservoirs, these reptiles inevitably die.
Trachemis in a home aquarium and terrarium
Young red-eared turtles are often released into a regular aquarium with fish, but this is a very bad decision.
In my aquarium, red-eared turtles appeared twice. It was in the late 80s, when there were no special lamps on sale, nor balanced reptile feed. The result was sad: both turtles lived no more than 2-3 years, despite the warm water and specially made island for them. Ordinary fluorescent the lamp that illuminated the aquarium, the turtles were few. FROM at some point they became lethargic and inactive, refused to feed and soon died. Herpetologists from our university could not help.
Aquarium and terrarium equipment for the Red-eared Turtles
A young turtle needs an aquarium with a volume of 50–100 liters, for an adult – at least 150 liters. Minimum the depth of the reservoir – two widths of the tortoise shell, to accidentally an animal that fell on its back could freely roll over. The maximum depth is not limited. Necessarily need a bridge or an island on two levels so that the turtle can always:
- completely get out of the water and bask under the lamp;
- sitting in shallow water, sticking his head out of the water for breathing.
In an aquarium, turtles need an island to bask under lamp
Water for the aquarium must be maintained for at least 24 hours. Part water in the aquarium should be replaced 1-2 times a week. Highly filter installation is desirable – adult turtles get very dirty water.
Young turtles can live for some time in the usual aquarium with suspension bridge. For adults, heavy individuals more practical aquaterrarium: half full of large water aquarium with a large island stone in the middle. In such a design a couple of adult red-eared turtles have been living with mine for ten years now friends.
The size of the empty space between the surface of the water and the edge of the aquarium or terrarium should be such that the turtle does not could cling to its claws and get free. For reliability, you can cover the construction with a strong metal the grid.
It is better to either not lay the soil at all, or use a large river pebbles that the turtle cannot swallow.
Temperature and lighting features
The optimum water temperature for red-eared turtles is +24 .. + 28 ° C, permissible short-term (a week or two) drops to +20 ° C, therefore a heater and a thermometer are required. Air temperature above the turtle island should be +28 .. + 30 ° C. For heating air the usual incandescent lamp is used, which is switched on for 12-14 hours a day with backlighting. Lamp power and distance before it are selected empirically, achieving the desired temperature.
If the turtle became lethargic and poorly takes food – it is urgent raise the temperature of water and air to optimal performance and contact a herpetologist veterinarian immediately.
At a height of 30 cm above the islet a special ultraviolet lamp for reptiles Repti Glo 5.0, which include daily for 10-12 hours. Especially important UV for young growing turtles.
Repti Glo lamps – a source of ultraviolet light for turtles
Domestic and medical UV lamps for turtles do not fit!
Compatible with aquarium plants, fish and others animals
Young turtles (smaller than palm) get along well with fish and almost do not damage plants. Growing up, they become dangerous neighbors and can eat anything they reach. Adults Red-eared turtles are generally incompatible with plants or any other animals.
Safety rules for keeping red-eared turtles
When working with red-eared turtles must be observed the following precautions:
- These animals can be carriers of worms and salmonella, therefore, after any manipulation of turtles and their housing wash hands with soap and water.
- A hungry or frightened tortoise can hurt badly for finger.
- Care should be taken to pick up turtles – they are often vigorously resist, actively breaking out with all paws, and the claws of They are very sharp.
- It is better to transfer turtles from place to place in a basin suitable sizes, not in hands: accidental fall from a height onto a hard floor can split the shell and destroy the animal.
Feeding Features
Turtles should be fed 1 time per day. Daily portion of animal feed in volume is approximately equal to the size of the head of a turtle. Suitable types of feed:
- freshwater low-fat fish, preferably small with scales and bones
- aquarium snails (just not wild freshwater – carriers worms);
- bloodworm;
- special store food for reptiles;
- raw lean beef;
- Once a week – raw beef liver.
Meat products must be cut into pieces of such a size that the turtle could easily swallow them. Young turtles calcium is especially important: fish with bones, snails with carapace.
Adult red-eared turtles also need plant foods: duckweed, lettuce or cabbage. A piece of leaf is dipped in water, turtles they will eat as much as they need. Decaying remains of leaves Throw away in a timely manner.
Small aquatic duckweed plant – feeding for rubella turtles
Reproduction of red-eared turtles
Gender differences in red-eared turtles appear from the age of 2-3 years, puberty occurs in 4-6 years.
The male can be identified by very long claws on its forepaws and a longer and thicker tail than that of a female. Adult females noticeably larger than males of the same age.
The male red-eared turtle has very long claws on the front paws
Mating most often occurs in the spring. After that for laying eggs, the female goes to land and digs the laying in the ground. Per offspring of turtles do not care. Egg incubation requires 4–5 months at a temperature of +22 .. + 30 ° C. Hatched turtles rush into the water.
Red-eared turtles live with good care up to 40-50 years old.
Before buying a funny turtle, you should carefully think about your ability to provide her with the necessary normal living conditions for the coming decades.
