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The Trachemys emolli was first described as a subspecies of Trachemys scripta in 1990. From 2002, was treated as a separate species.

The Nicaraguan slider (Trachemys grayi emolli) It has its distribution area in Costa Rica., El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua.

The Nicaraguan slider is similar to Red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta), but from the point of view of the animal keeper it has the advantage that it is not on the list of invasive species in the EU. Rarely kept in zoos.

The Nicaraguan slider grows quite a lot, the males 20-30 cm., the females up 38 cm and possibly more. Shell, with circular markings, it is slightly keeled and serrated on the posterior margin. The basic color of the body and soft tissues is olive green to dark brown., the markings are yellow, the yellow-orange cheek patch.

The species prefers stagnant or slow-flowing waters with mostly dense underwater vegetation.. Juveniles feed mainly on small animals such as tadpoles., small fish and crustaceans, snails and insects. With increasing age, algae and aquatic plants are also increasingly taken. Females can produce several clutches of eggs per season., which lasts from December to May and can contain up to 30 eggs.

The Nicaraguan slider serves as a provider of meat and eggs for the local population. Breeding farms have also been created.

International trade is not regulated by the CITES.

The Nicaraguan slider needs an integrated land area.
They can reach a total length of 28 cm in the aquarium. Females always grow slightly larger than males.. So, they need an aquarium with a rim length of at least 150 cm.. But, more is always better.

They need hiding places and shelters. especially the roots, timber, aquarium plants and stone or rock structures are gladly accepted by the animals.

Tortoises can be kept in pairs or in groups with several conspecifics.. Socialization with other turtles is also possible.

The Nicaraguan slider adapts wonderfully to aquarium conditions. They feel very comfortable in water temperatures between 23 and 30 degrees Celsius. The pH value should be between 6,0 and 7,5. Low heat point of the integrated ground part, the temperature can even reach 40 degrees Celsius. During the winter months, between october and february, you have to lower the temperature of the water to 23 – 25 degrees Celsius.

The Nicaraguan slider feed mixed. They accept both meat and plant foods.

The price of a "Nicaraguan slider" at the exotic animal market, ranges between 60 – 100 EUR.

55 Gal. Nicaraguan Slider Tank Setup Watch this video on YouTube.	Trachemys emolli ( nicaraguan slider ) Watch this video on YouTube.

1. Nicaraguan slider (English).
2. Trachémyde du Nicaragua (French).
3. Nicaragua-Schmuckschildkröte (German).
4. Tartaruga da Nicarágua (Portuguese).
5. "Tortuga nicaragüense" (español).

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The call Seychelles black terrapin, Seychelles mud turtle or Seychelles aquatic turtle was considered a species of turtle (Pelusios seychellensis) family Pelomedusidae, endemic to Seychelles.

But, genetic analysis of the lectotype has shown that this turtle was never a separate species and, in fact, It Pelusios castaneus.

The West African mud turtle (Pelusios castaneus) it is one of the most widespread turtle species in Africa. It is present practically throughout the Atlantic coast of the black continent: from southern Mauritania, Senegal, passing through Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon and as far north-west of the Central African Republic. It also, looking south from Cameroon, the species colonizes an area of Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo, DR Congo and reaches the northernmost part of Angola.

The species is also found in São Tomé, an island off Gabon. There is a human population in the Caribbean, on the island of Guadeloupe, where it probably comes from the slaves who carried the animals as live food (the turtle is still eaten today, it will be discussed later). There is also said to be a feral population in Florida., these animals would have been abandoned by an animal trader.

Large turtle, rather flat, with oval and elongated dorsal carapace, which has the largest width in the back area. Adults have a slightly separated vertebra at the front and a slightly separated vertebra toward the rear. Both vertebrae are wider than they are long.

The margin of the shell is smooth and not sawn. The dorsal carapace is mostly dark brown to black. The ventral shell forms a closed solid plate and is slightly narrower in the posterior region than in the anterior region.. The background color of the plastron is yellow in the center with a brown-black tint towards the edges. The skin is light gray to beige.

The head is mottled with a distinctive pattern, characteristic of each individual, as a fingerprint. On the chin there is 2 short, closed beards. The front legs also have scales and all the feet have strong claws..

Males have a shell length of about 20 cm.. Females can reach up to 38 cm of shell length, but they are usually much smaller (~ 25 cm of shell length). In addition to the usual elongated tail, the most conspicuous secondary sexual characteristic of males is a distinctly concave plastron.

The West African mud turtle it is extremely adaptable and can be found in all types of waters. Pools, ponds, lakes, rivers… is at home everywhere. In much of its range, living waters dry up during 6-7 months per year, time that the P. castaneus passes buried in the substrate. But, there are also rainforest species that have water all year round.

The West African mud turtle nor is it very demanding in terms of food. Feeds on insects, snails, carrion, small fish, amphibians and, occasionally, fruits and seeds. The species is also very fertile. Large females can easily produce two clutches a year with up to 18 eggs.

The West African mud turtle It is carnivorous and feeds on aquatic prey.. The feeding consists of five phases: preliminary fixation of the head on the dam, the adjustment of the head fixation, the final approach of the head, prey grip followed by handling and transport, and suction, which results in the ingestion after which the prey is swallowed. The final phase varies depending on whether the prey is fast, like a fish, or slow, as a gastropod mollusk.

State of conservation ⓘ
Minor Concern ⓘ (UICN)ⓘ

Unfortunately, today one can hardly talk about turtles without talking about the threatened situation of the species. Given its huge distribution area and its great adaptability, the West African mud turtle shouldn't be endangered. But, natural populations in most of its range have not been studied scientifically. Hardly any funds are allocated to field research, so hardly anything is known about the evolution of the population.

Scientists from Nigeria follow a very interesting approach: They regularly visit markets where “bush meat” is offered for consumption.. This includes, of course, these species of turtles. Unfortunately, during these visits it was necessary to verify that the populations of turtles of the genus Kinixys are in clear decline. But, the West African mud turtle not yet considered endangered and not subject to international trade restrictions.

Due to the climatic conditions of the country of origin, the size of the animals (up to a maximum of 38 cm of shell length!) and its activity, the West African mud turtle needs large, air-conditioned aquaterrariums with plenty of space to swim all year round.

The water section for an adult animal must have a minimum size of 150 x 60 cm and a water depth of at least 50 cm.. In addition to the free swimming areas, the water part must be structured with stones, branches and plants to offer animals stimulation and variety.

In addition to a sunny area on land and the mandatory egg-laying area when having females, the facility must also offer shallow water areas. Floating plants on the surface of the water offer protection and invite you to rest on the surface.

Although the West African mud turtle does not sunbathe as extensively as, for example, "North American ornamental turtles", the sunbathing area is frequently visited and used, so it must always be available.

Standard tank technical equipment includes fluorescent daylight tubes, heat radiators over the shallow water/stunning area and, occasionally, on the egg-laying area, external filter, heater, thermometer and timer. As an alternative, instead of daylight fluorescent tubes and heat radiators, powerful HQI radiators can be installed to illuminate a part of the tank and generate sufficient temperatures locally in the sunbathing area.

As for water and air temperatures, you must follow the climatic guidelines in the seasonal change of the country of origin (West Africa). In tropical areas there is also a day/night variation, as well as seasonal differences, although less pronounced than here.
A rough guideline is a water temperature of 25-28° and a local air temperature of up to 40° in the sun. You can get a night setback by turning off the heating at night.

Summer lethargy does not necessarily have to be applied in captivity. But, animals should not be kept at constantly high temperatures throughout the year. For a few weeks, or even months, should simulate colder phases at a water temperature of about 20-24°. Transitions should be gradual and the temperature should be increased or decreased over a few days.

The West African mud turtle does not have high food requirements. Eat anything offered to you as animal feed. The spectrum ranges from dry food (Lundi pellets, colored koi pellets, Sera Raffy P pellets, gammarus and dried fish, brekkies), to fish (various freshwater fish, smelts, pollock, etc.), mussel meat, common earthworm, heart of veal and mice (little mice and jumpers).

In addition to the aquatic plants present in the tank (Juncos, duckweeds, horn, duckweed, water hyacinth, water cabbage), green food is regularly offered (dandelion, Canons, oak leaf lettuce, Cucumber, zucchini and tomatoes).

Like almost all male turtles, the males of the West African mud turtle are always willing to mate, but their courtship behavior is more moderate and less aggressive than that of many other species. However, the sexes must be kept separate for a part of the year for the females to rest.

The courtship exhibition of this species can last several hours. First the male tries head and neck movements to attract attention. If the female is interested and does not avoid it, the male seeks direct body contact, pushing your nose. If the female then indicates that she is willing to mate by brief choppy head movements, the male rides. At no time does it try to bite the female.

Adult females need a place of oviposition of at least 60 x 50 x 50, since they bury their laying of up to 22-32 eggs very deep in the sand.

The West African mud turtle does not hibernate due to the climatic demands of the countries of origin (West Africa). However, day/night latency, as well as seasonal differences, must be simulated with technical aids.

All turtles pelomedus are not internationally protected species, so wild-caught specimens remain regularly available in the reptile trade. Wild catches are often surprisingly hard, weakened by long transport and numerous intermediate stops. If you have the opportunity, do not hesitate to buy european pups. The young are much more stable and less susceptible to diseases.

The price of a "West African mud turtle" at the exotic animal market, bred in captivity, ranges between 25 – 50 EUR.

African Mud Turtles (Castaneus Fluff) - Africa Turtles Watch this video on YouTube.	AFRICAN BOX TURTLE - CASTANEUS FLUFF Watch this video on YouTube.

1. West African mud turtle, West African side-necked turtle or swamp terrapin (English).
2. Péluse de Schweigger (French).
3. Westafrikanische Klappbrust-Pelomedusenschildkröte, Westafrikanische Seitenhalsschildkröte oder Sumpfschildkröte bekannt (German).
4. Tartaruga de lama da África Ocidental, Tartaruga de pescoço lateral da África Ocidental ou pântano (Portuguese).
5. Tortuga del barro de África Occidental, Tortuga de caja africana (español).

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The Toadhead turtle (Mesoclemmys gibba) it is a smaller representative of the South American necked turtles (Chelidae). These animals have been known to science and the hobby for a long time, but unfortunately they have not been sufficiently investigated so far.

Its distribution is in a wide area of ​​South America., in Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Trinidad, Guyana, Suriname, Paraguay and parts of Brazil.

In any case, in Europe mainly animals with Guyanese and Surinamese ancestry are kept.

The Toadhead turtle is small, with a carapace length of 15-18 cm in males and 18 cm in females. In this species, sexual dimorphism is not very evident., although males tend to have longer tails and a more forked plastron at the level of the anal scutes. In Venezuela, individuals with a carapace length of up to 23 cm..

Its head is narrow compared to other species of the same genus, back of head lined with small granules; two short barbules on chin, whose length is not greater than the size of the eye; broad, flattened carapace with a serrated-looking vertebral carina, which is smaller in adults; vertebral scutes wider than long, the third and fifth have an inconspicuous posterior projection towards the keel; the intergular shield completely divides the gulars, but not to the humerals; scales between orbit and eardrum smaller than those on top of head; webbed feet with 5 nails on the forelimbs and 4 in the later;

These turtles live in rivers, as well as in its tributaries and floodplains in the tropics. They are good swimmers and probably quite nocturnal.. Due to its distribution area, the Toadhead turtle it is active all year round and does not need to hibernate.

It is a shy species with nocturnal and aquatic habits that prefers aquatic bottoms.. These turtles change their diet as they mature: juveniles have an omnivorous diet and become more carnivorous as they grow. Some plants have been reported in the diet of juveniles., like the fruits of the palm Mauritia flexuosa and grasses of the species Pennisetum purpureum and Sacharum sinensis; while adults consume fish, Tadpoles, crustaceans, larvae of aquatic insects and other small invertebrates. To build nests, they dig in well-shaded clay soils., close to bodies of water, or at the base of tree trunks. The nests consist of 2-4 eggs longer than wide and hard-shelled. As a defense mechanism against predators, these turtles expel a strong musky odor and bite.

throughout its range, Little is known about their ecology and the status of their populations., reason why it has not been evaluated by the IUCN. In any case, the destruction, habitat fragmentation and pollution are its biggest threat.

The Toadhead turtle tends to socialize well with fish and even with shrimp, but they break the shell of the snails and eat them right away. Estas humpback turtles tend to be shy when kept with other species, and stress in combination with too high a pH value of the water can sometimes lead to skin problems. So, it is recommended to raise the young individually or in small groups of 3 to 5 animals in spacious tanks with lots of cover, and check regularly if they are stressed.

A tank is recommended. 120 x 50 x 60cm minimum to maintain a couple, although males may be better housed separately. The water temperature should vary between 24-28°C. Due to its tropical origin, animals don't hibernate, but they should not be kept in the pond either.

The species feeds almost entirely carnivorously.. This means that only food of animal origin is accepted, except for bananas and sweet berries. The carnivorous component must consist of insect larvae, snails, crustaceans, mussels, worms and insects. Pellets can also be added to this species to prevent deficiency symptoms. (vitamin deficiency, etc.). The shell of cuttlefish as a source of calcium is convenient to keep in our aquaterrarium.

As long as a couple stays, will eventually reproduce. The females lay from 1 to 5 hard shell eggs. These should not be incubated too wet. At a constant temperature of 28 degrees Celsius, the animals hatch after a few 150 days; in the nature, the eggs need between 150 and 180 days. This has to do with the slower development of embryos due to fluctuating temperatures.. A fluctuating incubation between 24-29 degrees. In this case, young animals hatch with more vitality.

The price of a "Toadhead turtle" at the exotic animal market, ranges between 90 – 120 EUR.

Mesoclemmys gibba Watch this video on YouTube.	Turtles in Ibbenbüren - A small summary Watch this video on YouTube.

1. Toadhead turtle, Gibba turtle, Lesser toad-headed turtle (English).
2. Tortue bossue (French).
3. Buckelschildkröte, Gibba-Schildkröte, Krötenkopfschildkröte (German).
4. Tartaruga gibba, Tartaruga toadhead, Cágado-de-poças-da-floresta (Portuguese).
5. Ashna charapitas , Asna charapas , Hediondas , Galápago hediondo , Charapitas de aguajal , Charapitas de cananguchal , Charapitas de altura , Curizas, Tortuga cabeza de sapo (español).

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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 New Guinea snapping turtle (Elseya novaeguineae) found on islands and rivers off the coast of Australia and New Guinea, like Fraser Island, the garden river, Daru, cape york, the Stradbroke Islands and the Torres Strait Islands. These turtles are also found in lowland swamps, covering large areas of the tropical and open plains of western Papua New Guinea.

The New Guinea snapping turtle has an olive-colored head with a yellow-cream stripe that runs from the tip of the nose to the iris, passing through the eye. They have a prominent upper jaw and two yellow whiskers on their chins.; the same yellow coloration runs along the light-colored jaw line.

The upper neck region is dark gray and the lower, light grey, with red veins that run through it. This same coloration appears on the lower jaw and on the belly of the turtle., although the color may vary between bright orange, yellow or pink. The extremities, the tail, the plastron and abdominal regions are marked with red.

The New Guinea snapping turtle Young usually has brighter marks that fade as it grows., and its red color turns pink over time.

Females have a larger shell, but its tail is shorter. The shells of males oscillate between 13,3 and 17,3 cm., and those of females between 15,2 and 25,5 cm..

The New Guinea snapping turtle is a member of the family of side-necked freshwater turtles, Chelidae. They can be characterized by the way they extend and retract the neck. Place the neck and head on their side, below the top edge of the shell.

The preferred habitat of the New Guinea snapping turtle are the rivers, swamps and ponds of Papua New Guinea and Australia. In the lower reaches of the Kikori and Omati rivers they inhabit slow-moving waters, seasonal wetlands and wetlands.

Like other freshwater turtles, the New Guinea snapping turtle alternate periods in the water with sunny time to increase body temperature. Most of their life is spent in the water, where they look for food. If there is a shortage of water in the warmer months, move to flooded areas.

The New Guinea snapping turtle swims and sunbathes to control internal body temperature. During the sunbathing process, tears go down the side of the turtle's head and enter the mouth as it opens and closes, what are known as gular movements.

Wetting the head or limbs, removing limbs from heat exposure and changing breathing patterns are mechanisms that prevent overheating.

The New Guinea snapping turtle, just like other short-necked turtles, snaps and bites when threatened, causing painful wounds. They stick their heads in while tilting their shell toward predators to reduce damage to soft parts of the body..

In many sea turtles, freshwater and terrestrial, the sex of the embryo is influenced by the incubation temperature. But, this is not the case for the Australian turtles studied to date, lacking temperature-dependent sex determination.

Species Elseya novaeguineae mate all year round, with peaks in spring and autumn.

During the breeding season, males communicate with females with a series of signaling postures, including a combination of simultaneous caresses, blinking eyes and swinging of the head. The female may be motionless or swimming; when she stops the encounter and comes to the surface, the male quickly adopts a nose-to-nose position, making nose jets. Males and females continue to bob their heads in an alternating sequence while aligning their bodies.. Once this maneuver is completed, mating begins.

The New Guinea snapping turtle has odor glands in its shell that produce odors used during competition between males during the breeding season.

The gestation period lasts from 2 to 4 months.

Ovulation and nesting begin in early spring. Only female turtles come out of the water at night or first thing in the morning to lay eggs in hollow cavities built into sand or soil.. Females lay eggs in about an hour.

These turtles can produce two to four clutches a year., laying four to eleven eggs each time, with an average of 7 eggs in each clutch.

The eggs hatch and hatch in the next dry season, between July and August. There are many factors that can influence the incubation and hatching period: ambient temperatures, cloudiness, the level and flow of the river, the tides and the phase of the moon. Elevated temperatures favor early hatching and cold temperatures favor late hatching..

After digging a cavity and laying the eggs, the female of New Guinea snapping turtle immediately returns to fresh water, leaving eggs exposed.

The hatchlings make their journey to fresh water without the guidance or protection of their parents..

The New Guinea snapping turtle it is omnivorous and feeds on filamentous algae, perifiton, sponges, aquatic macrophytes, aquatic macroinvertebrates, terrestrial insects falling into the water and carrion. These turtles also rely heavily on mollusc crushing., fish, insects, worms, aquatic plants, plant matter and seeds as part of your daily life.

They depend on their wide jaws, sharp and and their front legs to tear food, and its tongue serves to direct the food towards the gaznate.

State of conservation ⓘ
Minor Concern ⓘ (UICN)ⓘ

The New Guinea snapping turtle it is listed as a species of least concern by IUCN. But, there may be isolated populations in arid regions throughout their range and have extended times until sexual maturity. This combination leads some to think that a preventative conservation program should be applied.. Growing anthropogenic threats also pose a threat.

Predators include introduced red foxes and domestic cats. Water rats, goannas and crows prey on their nests and the offspring of many species of the genus Elseya.

Human predation includes the taking of eggs and adults as a local food source. The Emydura subglobosa has four scent glands as a defense mechanism against predators. The odor is usually only released when threatened. Although the use of musk is unknown, Recent data suggests that once the powerful smell is released, nearby predators leave the surrounding area.

The New Guinea snapping turtle can reach a maximum size of 30 cm in the aquarium. For its maintenance and care, an aquarium with an integrated terrestrial part is recommended. This container must have an edge length of at least 150 cm.. The water part should be very large and offer these swimming turtles a lot of free space. Other decorations would only unnecessarily restrict the turtles' swimming space and, Therefore, are not necessary.

These aquatic turtles are peaceful and friendly creatures.. They can be kept in pairs or in a group with several congeners without any problem.. It is also possible to keep them with other turtles of the same size and tranquility.

The New Guinea snapping turtle prefers a water temperature between 22 and 28 degrees centigrade and a pH value between 6,0 and 8,0. A UV lamp must be installed for the turtles to sunbathe. Below this temperature, animals can also enjoy temperatures between 35 and 40 degrees Celsius.

The New Guinea snapping turtle is omnivorous. They can be fed frozen and live food. Especially fish, insects and invertebrates are easily accepted.

The New Guinea snapping turtle (Emydura novaeguineae) has already been successfully bred in the aquarium. They are possible almost 4 put per year.

The price of a "New Guinea snapping turtle" at the exotic animal market, bred in captivity, ranges between 90 – 120 EUR.

New Guinea Snapping Turtle Facts Watch this video on YouTube.	The snapping turtle: A lagarto with carapacho! Watch this video on YouTube.

Elseya novaeguineae Watch this video on YouTube.	Kura-kura Dada Putih Kawin? (Elseya novaeguineae) Watch this video on YouTube.

1. Western New Guinea stream turtle or New Guinea snapping turtle (English).
2. Tortue de Nouvelle-Guinée (French).
3. Neuguinea-Schnappschildkröte (German).
4. Tartaruga de córrego do oeste da Nova Guiné (Portuguese).
5. Tortuga mordedora de Nueva Guinea, Tortuga del arroyo de Nueva Guinea occidental (español).

Sources:

1 – (Legler y Georges, 1993)
2 – (Adams y Georges, 1996; Georges, 1995; Georges, et to the., 2006; Legler y Georges, 1993; Webb, 1978)
3 – (Georges Guarino and Bito, 2006)
4 – (Legler y Georges, 1993; Ernst y Barbour, 1989)
5 – (Werneburg et al., 2009)