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The Chinese stripe-necked turtle (Mauremys sinensis) found in the southern coastal provinces of China, north and central vietnam, Laos and Taiwan.

The Chinese stripe-necked turtle can reach the 25 cm., for an average of 20 to 22 cm..
The dorsal plate has 3 carinas (1 spinal and 2 side) which are highly visible in young turtles, and fade as the tortoise grows

The back of juveniles is lighter (greenish to light brown, with yellow-orange sprays) than that of adults (Brown very dark). Vertebral scales are wider in front than behind. The 5th vertebral scale is wider than it is long..

The plastron is yellow-orange, with extensive dark spots on each scale.
Compared to other species of aquatic turtles, the tail of the Chinese stripe-necked turtle it is quite long in both males and females.

The head, legs and tail are olive green to gray (more or less dark), with fine light stripes (pale yellow to pale green), which gives it the common name "striped-necked turtle". The bottom of the head is lighter (yellow).
The iris is cream to pale yellow., with a dark spot.

The plastron of the male is concave and the tail is longer and thicker than that of the female.. The cloaca is located closer to the tip of the tail., while in females it is found on the supracaudal scales. Males are also smaller than females..

This species lives in swamps, muddy canals, slow flowing freshwater streams, ponds, swamps, shallow lakes and muddy ponds. It especially likes bodies of water with lots of vegetation.

To the Chinese stripe-necked turtle he likes sunbathing. It is quite a resistant species., peaceful and good swimmer. No hibernation.

Mating takes place mainly in spring. Egg laying takes place just over two months after (about ten eggs on average). The eggs are elliptical in shape and measure 25 x 40 mm. The incubation period can vary from 60 to 150 days.

Newborns measure between 30 and 35 mm.

In the wild, the Chinese stripe-necked turtle feeds both in water and on land: plants and various aquatic plants in large quantities, as well as worms, snails, fish, insects, mollusks, carrion, small crustaceans in smaller quantities. Males and young animals are more likely to feed on meat, while females and older animals are mainly herbivores.

State of conservation ⓘ
Critical danger ⓘ (UICN)ⓘ

The UICN considers that this species is in danger of extinction in its natural environment (catch for human consumption, urbanization, pollution, etc.).

For one Chinese stripe-necked turtle adult, the aquarium should have a length of at least 120 cm. – 150 cm., since females can grow more than 25 cm.. Of course, juveniles can be kept in smaller tanks and should be if possible. They are relatively good swimmers, but they need many opportunities to climb (plants, estate, stones). The water level should be at least twice the length of the shell.

Even with a water level of 80 cm., the Chinese stripe-necked turtle has no problems and is even more active with a higher water level.

Like all other species of aquatic turtles, the Chinese stripe-necked turtle need clean water. Be prepared to change the water every few days or rely on large external filters (for a 200L aquarium, choose an external filter for a 360L aquarium). We have had the best experience with EHEIM external filters. However, It is advisable to carry out a water change of at least 50% every few weeks.

Sand can be used as a substrate, wash or engrave. If sand is provided, turtles often burrow into it. So, we mainly use sand as a substrate.

To get warm temperatures, the aquarium should also have a heating rod.
In the very hot summer months, the Chinese stripe-necked turtle can be kept in the pond, as long as there are enough plants and other climbing possibilities there too.

Dry ground is absolutely necessary for these sun-loving tortoises. A metal halide lamp (HQI) should also shine above it. In this way, the required ground temperature can be reached without problems, of 40 to 45 °C. As in all species, the female also needs a place to lay her eggs.

The water temperature should be 25-28°C in summer and 20-24°C in spring and autumn. Instead of hibernating, this species goes through the phase of reduced activity, with water at 15°C.
The HQI lamp only shines 6 hours in winter, 8-10 hours in spring and autumn and at least 12 hours in summer.

Keeping them in a group is difficult and only works with females, if it does. But even in this case, individual conservation is always preferable. Males are usually very biting and aggressive as adults..

This species of turtle tends to eat meaty foods, but must have plenty of aquatic plants available. Plant food includes various aquatic plants, like duckweed, mussel flower, duckweed and many more, but also carrots. Fleshy food can consist of live food (worm, mealybugs), but also in frozen food (mosquito larvae, mussel meat, prawns, etc.). Turtle pellets or dry food should only be given occasionally.

They can be found in pet stores and some breeders.. The price of the "Chinese stripe-necked turtle" ranges between 30 – 50 EUR.

TORTUGA CHINA OCADIA MAUREMYS SINENSIS Watch this video on YouTube.	Mauremys sinensis turtle pond Watch this video on YouTube.

1. Chinese stripe-necked turtle, Golden thread turtle (English).
2. Emyde à cou rayé, Emyde de Chine (French).
3. Chinesische Streifenschildkröte, Bunte Streifenschildkröte (German).
4. Tartaruga chinesa de pescoço listrado, Tartaruga de fio dourado (Portuguese).
5. Tortuga de hilo dorado, Tortuga de cuello rayado, Tortuga ocadia (español).

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The Painted wood turtle (Rhinoclemys pulcherrima manni) It is a kind of tortoise of the family Geoemydidae

The genus of turtles (Rhinoclemmys) includes species that occur in mainly tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America. The habitats of the different species are very different, which is also reflected in his breeding. The Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima presented in this report lives in both aquatic and terrestrial environments

The different subspecies are found:

Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima incisa is located in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Mexico in the states of Chiapas and Oaxaca;

Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima manni It is found in Costa Rica and Nicaragua.;

Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima it is found in Mexico in the states of Guerrero and Oaxaca;

Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima rogerbarbouri it is found in Mexico in the states of Colima, Jalisco, Nayarit, Sinaloa and Sonora.

In Europe, there are relatively many possessors of the Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima incisa and Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima manniin, so with a little luck you can quickly find offspring of these subspecies.

The shell is highly arched and slightly faired in the center., males are somewhat flatter overall.

The basic color of the shell is brown to yellowish., on the ribbed scutes there are yellow and red ocelli of different sizes. The posterior margin of the carapace is serrated like a saw.. The basic color of the plastron is light yellow to cream., around the center seam there is a narrow black mark. There is also an anal notch on the plastron. The skin is colored in various shades of brown and olive, on which the stripes of the brands stand out, predominantly red, but partly also yellow.

When they are not covered by a layer of earth, the Painted wood turtle draws attention and is one of the most beautiful. The males of this species reach a size of just over 15 cm and can weigh up to 600 g. The females., on the other hand, They can grow to more than 20 cm and weigh 1,2 kg. But, most are still smaller. The Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima incisa it is the largest subspecies.

Males are still smaller, the carapace is flatter and the tail is comparatively longer than in females. It also, the anal notch usually shows a more acute angle in males compared to females.

The Painted wood turtle (Rhinoclemmys manni) lives in the tropical dry forest of the lowlands of Nicaragua and Costa Rica. The annual rainfall is about 1500 mm.

Their way of life is semi-aquatic.. Prefers to live in areas rich in vegetation near running water. If you move a little away from the bodies of water, this species retreats to moist vegetation.

Temperatures in the habitat exceed 20 °C throughout the year, and there is also a high humidity throughout the year. In the months of December to April, humidity is around 60-70% (a few 3-10 mm of precipitation per month), otherwise the humidity in the habitat is around 80-100% with a rainfall of about 160-300 mm al mes. The climate is characterized by a clear alternation of rainy and dry seasons..

Habitat vegetation is very dense. Due to weather conditions, tropical dry forests are characterized by tree species that shed their leaves in the dry season to reduce moisture loss (for example, the white gum tree). It also, various bromeliads grow here, Cactus, etc. in the rainy season, the vegetation resembles that of tropical forests with lush growth.

But, during the season, dry, that lasts several months, the ground becomes very hard. Smaller bodies of water dry up completely, leaving only a few shallow puddles. Much of the vegetation withers, the trees shed their leaves.

The Painted wood turtle eats fruit, insects and worms. Your diet should consist of a 60% of green leafy vegetables, a 30% of protein and a 20% of fruits and vegetables. In addition to a varied diet, they need extra calcium to ensure healthy shell growth. Unlike other aquatic turtles, this turtle does not need water to swallow its food.

The Painted wood turtle is oviparous. The females lay from 3 to 5 eggs at a time. Eggs at low temperatures may be dormant in the early stages, and can sleep for some time in low temperatures, when the temperature returns to normal you can proceed to incubation.

The species has not been cataloged in the red list of the UICN. Populations in the wild have decreased in recent years, mainly due to the felling of trees.. It's not in the treaty either. CITES

Illegal collection and trafficking.

Deforestation and loss of habitat for agricultural use.

Terrarium video "Painted wood turtle" [embedyt] www.YouTube.com/watch?v=9BauTOuLuyY&width=400&height=300[/embedyt]

The Painted wood turtle can reach a maximum carapace length of up to 20 cm.. These animals live semi-aquatic.. That is why they need an aquaterrarium with an integrated terrestrial part. As turtles love to swim and dive, the portion of water must be very generous. For the benefit of the Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima manni, there should be another container of water on the land side. The surface of the terrarium should not be less than 120 x 50 cm.. The bucket of water must be at least 50 x 50 cm and have a water depth of 15-20 cm..

This species prefers temperatures between 26 and 30 degrees centigrade with humidity between 70 and the 100 %. The temperature can be reduced to 25 Celsius at night. Animals need a hot spot to sunbathe at about 35° Celsius and must be irradiated with a UVB/UVA lamp during the day..

The Painted wood turtle is omnivorous. They accept meat and vegetable foods. But, plant food is preferred. dandelions, fruits and lettuces are at the top of the menu. They also like to eat earthworms, mealworms and zoophobas. You can also give fish (smelts), mice and mussel meat. The worms should always be dusted with a preparation of vitamins and minerals for insects. Of course, turtles will also take commercially available turtle pellets.

It is possible to breed Costa Rican turtles (Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima manni) in an aquaterrarium. Some breeding reports can be found.

Unfortunately, many aquatic turtles are still being extracted from nature and put on the market. These animals are usually very weak and difficult to get used to having them in the terrarium. They are also often full of parasites and worms. So, it is strongly recommended to buy young animals from the breeder. Although the pups can be a little more expensive, they are much more agile and you save yourself the hassle of acclimatization and deworming. Now there are enough breeders of some subspecies such as Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima manni so that the gene pool in Europe is large enough to avoid inbreeding.

The price of the "Painted wood turtle" in the exotic animal market ranges from 65 – 120 EUR.

TORUGAS RHINOCLEMMYS BEAUTIFUL MAN (WOOD OR PAINTED FOREST TURTLES) Watch this video on YouTube.	rhinoclemmys pulcherrima manni looking for earthworms 2 Watch this video on YouTube.

1. Painted wood turtle (English).
2. Tortue forestière peinte (French).
3. Pracht-Erdschildkröte (German).
4. Tartaruga de madeira ornamentada (Portuguese).
5. "Tortuga Dragon", Tortuga de Monte Pintada Centroamericana, Tortuga de bosque, Tortuga pintada de bosque (español).

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The Striped mud turtle (Kinosternon baurii) is native to the southeastern United States. The main distribution area is the Florida panhandle, but the species is also present in the coastal lowlands of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina and Virginia. In general, the species is considered common and not endangered, and is not subject to trade restrictions or species protection laws. But, the local population of the Florida Keys is threatened by the destruction of the biotope and, therefore, has been placed under protection in the United States. Trade has no impact on natural populations.

The Striped mud turtle it has an oval shape and a dark brown or black shell. The skin is dark and the underside of the shell is slightly yellowish.. In most places in Florida, animals have stripes on their shells that give them their names. But, there are regions where these turtles continue to have signs of these stripes or do not have any. this is known, for example, by populations of the Everglades.

These reptiles usually have two distinct stripes on their heads on each side.. This goes practically through the eye to the tip of the nose. Females have longer tails that are slightly bent at the end.. It is assumed that this fold serves to better cling to the female when courting and mating..

With a maximum shell length of only 12 cm in females, males are even smaller, about 10 cm., this turtle is really small. These are already record dimensions; females reach sexual maturity when they measure about 7-8 cm long and have 5-6 years.

The Striped mud turtle inhabits stagnant and slow-flowing waters of all kinds, including temporary. If such a pond dries up, animals change habitat. Migrations of up to 3,5 km. They also look for the preferred places for laying eggs.. Thus, the Striped mud turtle, is unfortunately a frequent victim in road traffic.

These little turtles are omnivorous by nature and feed on palm seeds, algae, insects, snails and the like. For its part, They are common prey for alligators and birds of prey such as the snail kite.. The small hatchlings and eggs are eaten by a large number of animals, which the turtles compensate with a very high reproductive rate.

A female can produce up to six (normally: three) broods per year with 1-6 (normally: 2-3) eggs each. The eggs are huge compared to the mother, one wonders how they fit in little mama. Eggs need between 80 and 145 days to mature, and only grow at temperatures between 28 y 30ºC. If the temperature drops to 22.5-24°C, the embryo pauses in its development. The pups measure between 2 and 2,5 cm in length and weigh between 2,1 and 3,9 g..

The minimum size of the aquaterrarium for the care of a single animal is three times the length of the carapace as the length of the tank, one and a half times the length of the shell as the width of the tank and two times the height of the shell as the water level. For a single animal this means (with a maximum carapace length of 12 cm.) a background surface of 36 x 18 cm with a water level of about 10-12 cm.. But, you will hardly be able to keep a turtle in such a small aquarium. But, a standard aquarium of 60 cm is absolutely sufficient to create a well-structured living environment for the little turtle. The following principles are very important: The Striped mud turtle climb and run instead of swimming. So, the water surface must always be easily accessible and the water level must not exceed 20 cm..

Waterproof roots and round stones are suitable for furnishings. The substrate should consist of a layer of fine sand of about 5 height cm, since animals like to dig. Many specimens only come out of the water to lay their eggs.. But, this varies greatly from one individual to another and, therefore, must be tested: add a piece of floating decorative cork to the tank. If you visit this part of land, a fixed part of earth must be installed, which may consist of a plastic bowl suspended and filled with sand, for example.

On the ground part can be installed a weak focus under which a temperature of 30-35°C is reached. The uv need of these turtles is low; a commercially available fluorescent terrarium tube with a UV component is perfectly suitable. A too bright location of the aquaterrarium should be avoided.

The water temperature should oscillate between 22 and 26°C from February to November, with 14 daylight hours. A hibernation period of about two months with only a few 8 daylight hours (this is much more decisive for the start of hibernation, that is regulated by hormones, than temperature) at 12-15°C is very favorable for keeping turtles healthy for many years and for reproduction.

In principle, It is best to keep all swamp turtles alone. The males are very incompatible with each other and can drive the females crazy by their constant willingness to mate.. Females also prostitute themselves sometimes with violence against each other. But, this varies greatly from individual to individual. You can be very lucky and buy a pair that will get along very well, but unfortunately you can't trust it. Sometimes, the animals only split up after years of peaceful coexistence. This is said to occur even in humans…

In principle, you should have as many tanks as animals you want to have, so you can elegantly avoid all difficulties from the beginning and you can react quickly if necessary.

for breeding, the female is put with the male, which usually bears fruit very quickly. In this way we have a fertilization rate of almost 100%, while annoying females often do not take care of themselves if they are kept together for a long time.

Unlike many other reptiles, females are not at all demanding when it comes to laying eggs. They gladly accept the sand-filled dirt area described above. At worst, they will simply lay the eggs in the water, but don't let it go to that extreme. By the way, females that stand alone also produce eggs (unfertilized, of course). It's like with chickens, they don't need a rooster to produce eggs for breakfast.

Video Kinosternon Baurii Tortue Kinosternon Baurii Watch this video on YouTube.

The most exciting and beautiful thing is to keep the turtles together with the fish.. First of all, the aquarium becomes more attractive - there are more things in it- and, in the second place, fish realize very quickly when something goes wrong in the water. The right species for the biotope are, for example, the Jordanella floridae (Jordanella floridae), the Least killifish (Heterandria formosa), the Blackbanded sunfish (Enneacathus chaetodon) or the Everglades pygmy sunfish (Elassoma evergladei).

If you are lucky enough to have the Sailfin molly (Poecilia latipinna), You will see how these creatures, otherwise delicate, become authentic beauties. For reasons that are still unknown, the Sailfin molly they develop exceptionally well when kept next to turtles. Of course, the selection of fish species is not limited to those mentioned. Only the slow fish that live on the bottom, as the Whiptail catfish (Rineloricaria fallax, etc.), should not live with turtles. As a rule, fish are safe from small shell carriers; at most, weak or sick specimens become their victims, but that doesn't matter.

The Striped mud turtle is more carnivorous than omnivorous. It is advisable to grow duckweed, especially the large species Spirodela polyrhiza, in the tank. Like this, they are simply available as food when turtles feel like vegetarian food. Otherwise, feeding is very easy, because Kinosternon baurii is not demanding. But, food should always be absolutely fresh and of high quality. It doesn't matter if it's industrially produced food for swamp and water turtles or frozen food..

Vitamins and valuable unsaturated fatty acids are destroyed more quickly than many people realize. Here we continue to sin a lot. Always buy food in small containers. Dry food should be consumed at the latest 6 weeks after opening the can, and frozen food after about half a year. Dry food should never be stored in a bright place, warm and humid. They should always be stored in an airtight container, in a dark and cool place.

If properly cared for, these friendly dwarfs hardly cause problems and give years of pleasure to their caregiver.

The price of a "Striped mud turtle" ranges between 130 – 160 EUR.

kinosternon baurii baby in mini aquaterrarium Watch this video on YouTube.	Primo Ingresso in Acquario Kinosternon Baurii Watch this video on YouTube.

1. Striped mud turtle (English).
2. Tortue de boue rayée (French).
3. Dreistreifen-Klappschildkröte (German).
4. Tartaruga de lama listrada (Portuguese).
5. "Tortuga de pantano rayada" (español).

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The Common musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus), It has a fairly wide distribution area., extending north into the eastern half of the US. (Illinois, Wisconsin, hasta Maine) and south into southern Canada (Quebec, Ontario) to Florida and west to central Texas.

The carapace of adults is dark brown., dark gray to black and has no markings. It is evenly curved, narrow and elongated. In juveniles a pattern of dark spots is visible. Juveniles also have three characteristic keels, that disappear with age.

The plastron is small and cross-shaped. (bikini shell), and the color can range from light beige to full black. In this species, connective tissue sutures are especially prominent.

The head, legs and other soft tissue are light gray to black, although coloration changes with age. On the sides of the head there are two yellow stripes that vary depending on the specimen., one above and one below the eye from the tip of the nose to the neck (sometimes with a connection behind the eye). These stripes can fade or disappear completely with age.. There is a pair of barbels on the chin, sometimes there may be a second pair.

The Common musk turtle can reach a size of 13,7 cm., but in most cases it only measures between 7,5 and 10 cm., and both sexes are about the same size.

Inhabits all types of fresh water, like lakes, ponds, rivers, swamps and canals, and prefers slow-moving waters with sandy bottoms. The species prefers shallow water areas. Despite its undemanding character, does not tolerate brackish water.

The Common musk turtle belongs to the genus Sternotherus and it looks a lot like Striped mud turtle of the gender Kinosternon at first sight. unlike the turtles Kinosternon, that they can close their abdominal shell with the help of two hinges, the Common musk turtle has a retracted abdominal shell and is not hinged. This makes them more mobile and they compensate for the lack of protection by being more aggressive.. when they are threatened, give off a strong, unpleasant odor, what gives them their name.

The Common musk turtle is active in the morning and at night. Land rides are popular at night. Other species of Sternotherus are more active during the day.

State of conservation ⓘ
Minor Concern ⓘ (UICN)ⓘ

Although the Common musk turtle does not have federal conservation status in the US. and is fairly common throughout most of its range, has decreased markedly in some areas, and appears to be more sensitive than some native species to human degradation of wetlands. It is listed as a threatened species in the state of Iowa.. It is listed as an endangered species in Canada., and is protected by the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA). It is also protected under the Ontario Endangered Species Act.. In this part of its range, only wetlands with minimal human impact have robust populations. The mortality of reproductive females on roads can be one of the problems associated with human development.

Depending on the size or age of the Common musk turtle, the aquarium should measure between 80 x 40 cm. and 100 x 50 cm., more space never hurts. The water level should initially be about 5 cm for small pups, the Common musk turtle adult prefers some 30 cm.. Animals like to run through the sandy substrate, but also climb to the surface of the water in the indoor furniture or swim freely in the water. Consequently, exuberant planting and good structuring with root wood or non-slip stones up to the surface must be carried out. Occasionally, turtles use furniture that protrudes from the water to sunbathe, although much less frequently than, for example, the ornamental turtles. Furniture also creates important hiding and resting places..

Females should be offered a sandy, partially planted area of ​​land for egg laying.

A lamp, for example HQI, should hang above to heat the area to 35-40°C. The species also likes to use the area to rest. This species also likes to use the area for nocturnal terrestrial excursions..

During the period of activity, The water needs to reach a temperature of 22 a 26°C, which is why, depending on ambient temperature, a heating rod must be used. A rest phase in winter of about 3 months at about 10°C is suitable for the species and is necessary to keep it healthy in the long term. This value is only indicative due to the large distribution area. Animals from the north of the distribution area have to enter torpor at a water temperature of 4°C – 5°C, animals in southernmost areas hibernate mostly at 10°C – 15°C.

A sufficiently sized filter ensures clear water and serves the health of the turtles..

In the middle of summer, the Common musk turtle can also be kept in secure outdoor enclosures if provided with gently sloping edges and plenty of greenery. But, in these conditions, animals cannot be observed regularly and, Therefore, are difficult to control.

The Common musk turtle is a solitary animal, so adult males should generally be kept solitary. It is also recommended to keep females individually.. If two or more females are kept together, aggression and stress among lower animals are very likely, Therefore, close observation is necessary. Then, it may be necessary to separate the animals and set up another tank.

To keep the Common musk turtle as appropriate as possible to the species, we recommend the following conditions.

• air temperature: 25° a 26°C
• Minimum size of the terrarium: 200 litres

The Common musk turtle can be kept in a garden pond from May to October. The pond should have a shallow shore and be sunny, as this particular species likes to bask in shallow water. It also, Don't rule out a large, powerful aquarium heater in the event of bad weather and the temperature drops below 10 degrees Celsius for a long period of time. The enclosure must be relatively high, Since the Common musk turtle it is a very good climber; concrete blocks and palisades can be used for this. It is essential that crystals or the like are not used, since of the turtles they will try to cross the transparent barrier constantly.

The Common musk turtle feeds mainly on animal feed, consisting of dry food for turtles, worms, meat and fish strips. But, fruit and salad should also be offered occasionally.

The breeding season is mainly from April to May and from September to October.. Like this, can be put from 2 to 4 clutches of eggs by season. The stalls are usually 1 to 5 eggs, Although they can reach 10 eggs. under natural conditions, The incubation period lasts between 65 and 86 days, but can also reach 107 days in unfavorable cases.

The Common musk turtle, by breeding in large numbers on US breeding farms., is frequently and cheaply available commercially. This encourages ill-considered impulse purchases, which means that the number of unwanted animals that are given away is very high.

The price of the "Common musk turtle" in the exotic animal trade ranges from 40 – 70 EUR.

First Pasto Sternotherus odoratus CB2016 Watch this video on YouTube.	Watch this video on YouTube.

1. Common musk turtle, Eastern musk turtle (English).
2. Tortue musquée, tortue musquée commune (French).
3. Gewöhnliche Moschusschildkröte, Moschusschildkröte (German).
4. Tartaruga Almiscarada Comum, Tartaruga do musgo (Portuguese).
5. "Tortuga almizclada", Tortuga almizclera común (español).

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The name Rhinoclemmys is derived from the Greek words rhinos (nose, snout, bill, bill) and klemmys (Turtle, Turtle). The name alludes to the protruding snout that some individuals of the type species have..

The Spot-legged wood turtle (Rhinoclemmys punctularia) It is distributed in eastern Colombia., Venezuela, Trinidad, Tobago, Guyana, French Guiana, Suriname, NE of Brazil (Tocantins, For, amazon, Bay, maranhão, to the lower course of the Tapajós River, Rio de Janeiro)

The shell is dark brown to black.. Limbs are orange-yellow with scattered black spots. The male is slightly smaller than the female and has a longer, slightly concave plastron and thicker tail.. Middle dorsal keel. red head pattern, yellow or green formed by two longitudinal or horseshoe-shaped stripes. Heavily webbed feet.

It is a semi-aquatic species. Lives most of the time in swamps, coastal streams and marshes. In Brazil it lives along the coast of Pará and in open areas along the Amazon River to the lower Tapajós.. Avoid high salinity and strong currents.

Omnivores, seek both animal and plant foods. Foraging and feeding can occur both in water and on dry land.

while they feed, they bite into their food using their front limbs not only to pull and break larger amounts of food, but also to maneuver the food in their mouths.

They lay an average of two very large brittle-shelled elongated eggs. They make several layings in a season. The incubation period can last up to three months.. Sex is determined by temperature. The eggs are covered with leaf litter or hidden among vegetation and roots..

Mainly active at night, but is known to bask and be active during the day.

This species is consumed only locally, but there is evidence that it is widely consumed or kept as a pet and sold on the black market.

It was classified in 2012 like least concern in the new Scientific Assessment of the Risk of Extinction of the Brazilian Fauna. To date, it has not been necessary to create any conservation program for this species.

It is a rarely imported species., so there is not much information about their care in captivity.

For proper maintenance and care of the Spot-legged wood turtle, an aquarium with an integrated terrestrial part or an aquaterrarium is recommended. The aquarium must have a rim length of at least 150 cm.. The substrate of the aquatic part must be designed as a tropical forest. The lush plantation, foliage and humus can serve you.

The Spot-legged wood turtle It is native to tropical regions.. So, it is mandatory to have a heated aquarium. Reptiles prefer a water temperature between 25 and 30 degrees centigrade with a pH value between 6,0 and 8,0. It is advisable to install a UV lamp so that the turtles sunbathe.

Under no circumstances will we let these turtles hibernate. If temperatures drop below 20ºC, may start to show symptoms of breathing problems.

The price of a "Spot-legged wood turtle" at the exotic animal market, ranges between 90 – 120 EUR.
Imported animals must be kept in quarantine, and be dewormed.

Spot-legged wood turtle ,Rhinoclemmys Punctularia Watch this video on YouTube.	Tortue Rhinoclemmys punctularia Watch this video on YouTube.

1. Spot-legged wood turtle, Painted wood turtle (English).
2. Tortue spot-jambes, Tortue ponctulaire (French).
3. Guyana-Erdschildkröte (German).
4. Aperema, Tartaruga-de-patas-malhadas (Portuguese).
5. "Tortuga de patas moteadas", Tortuga Cabeza pintada Guayana, Tortuga de Patas Punteadas, Morrocoy negro (español).

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The False map turtle and Mississippi map turtle belong to the same species, but they are different subspecies.

Gender: Graptemys (Map turtles)
Species: Graptemys pseudogeographica (False map turtle)

• Subspecies: Graptemys pseudogeographica pseudogeographica (False map turtle)
• Subspecies: Graptemys pseudogeographica kohnii (Mississippi map turtle)

The subspecies with which the species was originally described is called nominal form. In the case of the named form, the species name is used twice. In this case it is Graptemys pseudogeographica pseudogeographica, the False map turtle. The second subspecies is Graptemys pseudogeographica kohnii., the Mississippi map turtle.
The Map turtles they are sun worshipers

The False map turtle (Graptemys pseudogeographica), lives in large streams of the Missouri and Mississippi river systems, ranging from ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, through the Dakotas south to southwestern Alabama, southern and western Mississippi and Louisiana. The False map turtle also lives in various other river systems of southwestern Louisiana and eastern Texas.

Unfortunately, the Map turtles not offered in pet stores neatly separated by species. They are mostly a mixture of Graptemys p. pseudogeographica, Graptemys p. kohnii and Graptemys ouachitensis. Estas Map turtles they are distinguished by the markings on their head. in the three, head markings consist of yellowish to ivory lines on a dark gray background.
The typical mix of Map turtles from the pet store

In the False map turtle (Graptemys pseudogeographica pseudogeographica) there are two slightly thicker stripes on the head behind the eyes, coming out of the nape and bending to the side behind the eye. Under the eyes and around the mouth there are many spots, but they are barely thicker than the stripes. A few stripes come out of the neck and reach the eye. The iris of the eye is light brown to beige in color and is cut horizontally by a black line. The beak is light to dark yellow.. Leg and neck lines are slightly finer in this subspecies than in the other two.

In the Mississippi map turtle (Graptemys pseudogeographica kohnii), two prominent lines also run from the neck towards the eye and bend there, but then they go much further and enclose the eye in the shape of a crescent or a sickle. The circular markings on the head are relatively small and occur almost exclusively on the chin. Neck stripes do not touch the eye, because there is already the drawing in the shape of a sickle around. The iris is white and only rarely has a dark line. The beak is colorless to whitish.. Leg and neck lines are evenly thick, with lighter and darker lines.

In the Ouachita map turtle (Graptemys ouachitensis) there are two yellow-orange spots on the head, behind the eyes, which are between oval and square. These spots have a dark border. From these points there are no lines towards the neck. under the eyes, under the corners of the mouth and on the chin, under the tip of the beak, there are circular marks, which are clearly larger than in the first two Map turtles. The diameter is clearly greater than the thickness of the neck lines. Starting from the neck, one to three lines reach the eye. The iris is white and usually has a thin black line that crosses it horizontally.. The beak is colorless to whitish.. In the Ouachita map turtle adults the lines are usually reddish, instead of yellowish, but not always. In the lines of the legs and neck, light and dark lines are of different thickness.

Females can reach up to 27 cm of shell length. The males are still pleasantly small, with a maximum of 15 cm.. Adult females usually measure between 21 and 25 cm and weigh between 1,1 and 1,8 kg. The adult males of Graptemys pseudogeographica they are smaller, of 11 to 15 cm., and also weigh only 140-370 g.
Males are still much smaller than females.

The Ouachita map turtle (Graptemys pseudogeographica kohnii) must remain minimally smaller than the False map turtle (Graptemys pseudogeographica pseudogeographica)

The Map turtles are typical inhabitants of large rivers, but they also live in lakes and ponds. They prefer waters with abundant underwater plants, lots of sunbathing spots and shallow streams.

The False map turtle is a strong swimmer and prefers rivers and large streams with moderate currents, containing aquatic vegetation, as well as floating logs. It is also comfortable in deep and fast water. Turtles are present in the elbow lakes and in the swamps, but they are absent from the lakes, ponds or small streams. Rest is important for these turtles, and can even be found on steep and slippery logs.

Food components of the females of Map turtles in the nature (according to LINDEMAN 2013):

• Molluscs 22 %
• Fish 6 %
• Caddisfly larvae 2 %.
• May flies 11 %
• Dragonflies 0,4%.
• Plants 55 %
• Other 4 %

According to VOGT (1981), the 42 % of the diet of adult females Graptemys pseudogeographica consists of plants (Vallisneria, Potamogeton, Lemna and algae), followed by molluscs and flies. While the males feed mainly on insects and do not eat plants.

In the Map turtles, the claws on the front feet are not a reliable feature to distinguish between the sexes. To distinguish males from females, the Map turtles must have a carapace length of at least 10 cm.. Prior to that, all look like females.

In the Map turtles male, the tail is much longer and also somewhat thicker. They are said to have a "fifth leg". The cloaca is situated well outside the shell when the tail is extended.. In females the tail is relatively short.. The cloaca is approximately level with the edge of the carapace when the tail is extended..

Males reach sexual maturity at 7-9 carapace length cm. Females reach sexual maturity much later, to the 18 carapace length cm. Mating can take place in the fall or spring.. After a single mating, females lay one to four clutches per season. Each nest consists of 2 to 22 eggs. The number of eggs per clutch in the Graptemys p. pseudogeographica is usually greater than Graptemys p. kohnii.

The higher the incubation temperature, more shell abnormalities hatchlings will have.

The incubation temperature can be between 25 and 32 °C. If you want more male offspring, hatching temperature of 25 °C. But, to 30 °C, more females are born. The warmer the incubation, the quicker the little turtles will be born. It usually takes between 50 and 80 days.

State of conservation ⓘ
Minor Concern ⓘ (UICN)ⓘ

This species faces several threats, such as destruction of egg nests by animals and insects, falling into gillnets and shooting. The False map turtle, like the Red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans), have also been collected for the pet trade.

All Map turtles are included in CITES Appendix III and in Appendix C of the EU Species Protection Regulation. But, they do not need any documents when trading within the EU and are not subject to declaration.

The Map turtles It is native to large rivers and lives in areas of slow flow.. Thus, they need an aquarium with plenty of room to swim. For one or three adult females, should have 160 x 60 x 60 cm and a water level of 40-50 cm.. Of course, can also be higher. The Map turtles male is still much smaller, can be kept very well in an aquarium of dimensions 100 x 40 x 50 cm., that is to say, a standard aquarium of 200 litres. for the pups, the aquarium can be smaller at first. If you buy pups from a pet store or breeder, I would start with an aquarium of at least 80 cm to avoid having to buy new aquariums.

The assembly of aquaterrarium can be simple, because the Map turtles they mostly need space to swim. A thin layer of sand or other substrate can be placed on the bottom. You can create some structure with a few roots or pretty stones. A cave is also popular with Map turtles, for example, halved clay pots or a wall-mounted terracotta pot are suitable.

Planting in the aquarium is difficult. females eat plants. Males eat fewer aquatic plants, so you can try. But the males also burrow into the substrate, so it is not worth planting them. But, you can try plants that float freely in the water, as the Anthocerotophyta and Elodea. Basically, all aquatic plants that occur as food plants are suitable for planting.

Clean water is immensely important to the Map turtles. So, good filters are recommended. The water should also be changed regularly.

The Map turtles they have sensitive shells. So, the land part should not be made of stones. Wood in any form is much more suitable. For young turtles and males, just an area of ​​land made with a willow or cork bridge.

Sexually mature females need the opportunity to lay eggs.. Females that have never had contact with a male can also form eggs and should be given the opportunity to lay them on land.. Otherwise, there is a risk that eggs will be laid. Turtles do not lay their eggs in the water., but they bury them in the ground. The egg-laying area for Map turtles must have a minimum area of 50 x 30 cm and a substrate height of 30 cm..

The Map turtles they are hungry for light. They need high-quality lighting. A Map turtles will not be happy with cheap lamps and a fluorescent tube. The only sensible lighting for these tortoises is a metal halide lamp with a UV component. (also abbreviated as hqi). These lamps are not only very bright, they also provide the vital UV-B light that is necessary for the formation of vitamin D. They also get very hot, so it can be achieved 40-45 °C required on land if the distance is adequate.

for the juniors, is enough a hqi of 35 watts, for example the SolarRaptor HID Lamp Set incl. ECG + ClampLamp* or the Exo Terra Sun Ray Lighting Complete Set*. For females it should be a lamp 70 watts, I recommend the following complete set: Lucky Reptile Bright Sun Set Turtle*.

If the diet in the wild is known, food is actually quite simple. The Map turtles they can also eat all this in the aquarium. Use brown shrimp and other dry foods such as water fleas and mosquito larvae as a staple. It also, the Map turtles they are happy to eat frozen food, like red mosquito larvae and mussels. Mussels belong to the molluscs and are also widely eaten in the wild. the living food, like earthworms and isopods, should also be on the menu regularly.

The Map turtles they eat in the water, just throw the food in the water!

The proportion of vegetable food must be at least 40 % for the females of Map turtles. algae and aquatic plants (for example, duckweed) are particularly suitable for it. If you don't have enough aquatic plants, dandelions and other wild herbs are a good alternative. Otherwise, it is also possible to feed them with lettuce. Males and youngsters should also be offered plants regularly. The young also eat plants. The adult males of the Map turtles they barely eat them.

Yes the Map turtles do not accept plants well (especially the males), you can also occasionally use the pellets Sera’s Turtle Adult Nature* to provide crude fiber. These duckweed pellets contain more crude fiber than other terrapin sticks.

The Map turtles are very prone to vitamin A deficiency. To avoid this, you have to give them grated carrot once a week.

While young animals can be fed once a day during their first year of life, the Map turtles Older animals should only be fed pet food or pellets three to four times a week.. Otherwise, turtles will grow too fast. The amount of food should be such that it is finished after 10 minutes. Plants must always be available, a tortoise can eat whatever it wants.

For calcium supply, a piece of cuttlefish must always be floating in the water.

The two subspecies of Graptemys pseudogeographica have a wide distribution area. The False map turtle (Graptemys p. pseudogeographica) is further north, so it must hibernate a 4-8 °C for five months. The Mississippi map turtle (Graptemys p. kohnii) inhabits southern part of range. Thus, only hibernates for three months 10-15 °C.

The Map turtles, like all aquatic turtles, they are actually solitary animals. So, keep one Map turtles is appropriate for the species and recommended. But, if you want to keep several turtles together, all must be female. females get along better. Groups of three or more animals work very well.

When keeping a group, it should always be possible to remove a turtle from the group in case of stress or bite.

The Map turtles male should be kept separate from females. Otherwise, their constant mating attempts will make the females too nervous. The males of the Map turtles are often surprisingly compatible with each other, and it is often possible to keep several males together.

The Map turtles not usually suitable for keeping in a garden pond. It's just too cold for them and the sunshine period is too short.. This leads first to shell necrosis and then to liver and kidney problems.. if you want to have Map turtles in a pond, the northernmost subspecies in particular is reasonably possible. It's about the False map turtle (Graptemys p. pseudogeographica).

The price of a "False map turtle" at the exotic animal market, ranges between 30 – 70 EUR

Watch this video on YouTube.	9086 Graptemys pseudogeographica pseudogeographica Watch this video on YouTube.

1. False map turtle, Sawback (English).
2. Fausse tortue géographique (French).
3. Falsche Landkarten-Höckerschildkröte, Falsche Landkartenschildkröte (German).
4. Falsa Tartaruga Corcunda (Portuguese).
5. "Tortuga falso mapa", Falsa Tortuga Mapa (español).

Sources:

Ernst, C. H. & J. E. Lovich (2009): Turtles of the United States and Canada – Second Edition. – The John Hopkins University Press (Baltimore): 827 pp.

Gibbons, J. W. & J. E. Lovich (1990): Sexual dimorphism in turtles with emphasis on the slider turtle (Trachemys scripta). – Herpetol. Monogr. (4): S. 1-29.

Lindeman, P. V. (2013): Map Turtle and Sawback Atlas – Ecology, evolution, distribution and conservation. – University of Oklahoma Press (Norman), 460 p.*.

Vogt, R. C. (1981): Food partitioning in three sympatric species of map turtles, genus Graptemys (Testudinata, Emydidae). – American Midland Naturalist (105): pp. 102-111.