Swamp turtles belong to the class of freshwater reptiles. These reptiles spend most of their lives in ponds, lakes, rivers or canals. Sometimes they can also be seen on lawns basking in the sun, in forests and even in mountainous areas near water bodies.
There are several types of such turtles. Reptiles live on the continents of both the Southern and Northern Hemisphere. One of the most prominent representatives of this family is the European marsh turtle. It is such a species that is most often found in the wild in the Northern Hemisphere.
general description
The main distinguishing feature of the European marsh turtle (Emys orbicularis) is an oval carapace. Carapax in representatives of this species is low, smooth, slightly convex. The color of the shell of Emys orbicularis can be brown-brown or dark olive. On the surface of the carapace of these reptiles, as well as on their skin, diverging bright yellow dots or lines are visible. The reptile looks quite impressive and attractive.
The plastron in the European marsh turtle (photos of representatives of this species are presented) usually has a lighter shade than the shell. Most often it is painted yellow or brown. The beak, unlike many other species of turtles, Emys orbicularis does not have. The edges of the jaws are smooth.
Another distinctive feature of this species are long claws on all paws and moderately developed swimming membranes. The tail of Emys orbicularis is relatively long. This is especially true for males of the European marsh turtle. Emys orbicularis has 5 toes on its front legs, and 4 on its hind legs.
Swamp turtles are born almost black. Over time, the color of their shell, plastron and skin gradually becomes lighter. The body length of newborn reptiles of this species is usually 1.5-2.5 cm. In adults, the length of the carapace can reach 18-25 cm. Males Emys orbicularis are usually less than females. The weight of the European marsh turtle in most cases is about 1.5 kg.
Where dwells
In nature, Emys orbicularis can be found throughout Europe, in northern Africa, in Asia, Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, the Caucasus. In our country, the habitat of the European marsh turtle extends from the Smolensk region to the left bank of the Ural River.
Most often, Emys orbicularis can be seen in lakes and ponds. In the rivers, this turtle is quite rare. The reptile prefers standing water or, in extreme cases, slowly flowing water. Most of all, Emys orbicularis loves ponds with muddy bottoms drawn up by aquatic vegetation.
The European marsh turtle, of course, has no gills. But, as scientists were able to find out, in case of danger, this reptile can sit under water without air for a whole day or more (at an ambient temperature of 18 ° C). Under normal conditions, swamp turtles rise to the surface every quarter hour. In winter, reptiles of this species hibernate.
Character and habits of Emys orbicularis
Since the European marsh turtle is a predator, its mental abilities are very well developed. In this respect, it surpasses its herbivorous relatives and many other reptiles. In captivity, such turtles, for example, learn to recognize their owners very quickly, after a short period of time they begin to take food from their hands or with tweezers, etc. That is why this interesting variety, along with predatory rubella, is often kept in aquariums as pets.
The character of Emys orbicularis is not as bad as, for example, that of the same cayman tortoise biting for any reason. But representatives of this species can stand up for themselves very well and never let offenders descend. The European turtle is very well developed and territorial. On a raft in an aquarium, for example, each of the reptiles of this species chooses its own personal place. Subsequently, the tortoise in every possible way protects its territory from attacks by relatives.
What eats
Being in reservoirs, turtles of this variety can eat snails, worms, frogs, crustaceans. They love Emys orbicularis, of course, and fish. Also, representatives of this species, although not in large quantities, eat aquatic plants.
On land, European marsh turtles feed mainly on insects, larvae and mice. They seek food in fallen leaves, in the grass, under the branches. Most often, Emys orbicularis is eaten on land. In water, they, unlike the red-eared turtles, rarely eat. At the same time, in search of dinner, these reptiles involve not only sight, but also the sense of smell, which is very well developed in them.
Life span
Like most other turtles, Emys orbicularis are centenarians. However, such pets, unfortunately, are inferior to many of their relatives in this regard. In nature, these reptiles, depending on environmental conditions, live for 40-50 years. In captivity, this period is usually reduced to 25 years.
How to breed
European marsh turtles reach puberty at the age of 5-8 years, the length of the carapace at that age is 9-12 cm. The males Emys orbicularis, in addition to a longer tail and smaller sizes, differ from the females also in a slightly concave plastron. This structure of the abdominal shield facilitates the mating of a reptile of this type.
The breeding season, depending on the area of habitat, falls on the period from March to October. In Russia, Emys orbicularis mates usually in the spring, at the beginning of May. The mating game of these turtles can occur both on land and in water and usually lasts about 10-15 minutes.
The male sperm is preserved in the female genital tract for up to 1 year. Egg laying always takes place on the shore. In search of a place suitable for the construction of a nest, females can move away from water bodies to a distance of several kilometers.
In one year, one turtle usually makes up to 3 clutches. The first time this happens in May. At the same time, the female often lays eggs, fertilized by last year's sperm. The second time the turtle builds a nest at the end of June, and the third - closer to August. Represent the nests of these reptilian fossa with a depth of 10 to 20 cm, having the shape of a jug. At one time, Emys orbicularis can lay 3 to 19 neat, rounded eggshells with white shells.
Tortoises of this variety are born about 2.5-3 months after masonry. Late young animals immediately dig deeper into the sand and spend the winter there in hibernation. Such turtles begin to lead an active lifestyle only from next spring. Youngsters from late clutches usually get to the nearest pond and winter there.
Interesting fact
As with most other species of turtles, the sex of the offspring of Emys orbicularis is determined by the ambient temperature. If during the incubation period the sand warms up more than 30 ° C, females hatch from the eggs. At temperatures up to +27 ° C, males appear in the light. At intermediate values, turtles of both sexes hatch from eggs.
Subspecies
The distribution area of the European marsh turtle in the Northern Hemisphere is actually quite wide. At the same time, Emys orbicularis, somewhat differing in appearance, may live in different places.
To date, 16 subspecies of such turtles are known, united in 5 groups. In Italy, for example, the Kapalongo marsh turtle lives, in Turkey - Nycelta, in Spain - surroundings, etc. In Russia, the normative species Emys orbicularis orbicularis is mainly found, the shell of which usually reaches 23 cm.
Economic value
In the Middle Ages, the meat of European marsh turtles was readily eaten by people. At the same time, such a product was quite popular. It was not forbidden to cook dishes from the meat of turtles, as well as fish, even at church posts. Currently, this product, of course, is not consumed.
For a long time it was believed that swamp turtles are capable of causing significant damage to fish farms. However, it later became clear that this is not entirely true. Emys orbicularis - turtles are actually quite nimble both in water and on land. However, their attacks on fish still fail in most situations. These reptiles manage to catch an impressive specimen in a pond extremely rarely. This fact is also confirmed by observations of Emys orbicularis in aquariums.
Swamp turtle: home care
As already mentioned, the European turtle is very often kept in apartments as a pet. But, unfortunately, this reptile is currently considered an endangered species. In nature, as the researchers note, it is currently being actively replaced by the American marsh turtle. This reptile is listed in the Red Book in Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia, as well as in all European countries. Catching Emys orbicularis in nature is not worth, of course, in Russia as well. To create for this reptile the same good conditions as in the wild, at home, in any case, it will not work.
It is not for nothing that the swamp turtle got into the Red Book. Emys orbicularis really needs protection. But if for some reason the turtle was still in the house and there is no possibility to release it into a pond or lake (this happens, for example, in winter), you must, of course, try to make its living in the apartment as comfortable as possible. In order for the reptile not to get sick, for it, first of all, you should buy a fairly large aquarium. An adult turtle will need a capacity of at least 150-200 liters.
The aquarium with the content of marsh turtles fill up to about half or slightly higher. Of course, fish are not planted in a reptile tank. She may not be able to keep up with them, but to keep watch for any gape gupyashka in a cramped aquarium is not difficult for her. If desired, a pair of such turtles can be contained in one 200 L container.
Equipment
On a glass container with a turtle on a suction cup, you will need to fix the raft. The reptile must necessarily be able to crawl out to land from time to time. Otherwise, the shell of the turtle will be covered with moss, and it will eventually become ill. Under a raft, a hill of stones is also usually imposed. The weight of the turtles of this variety is quite large. And to climb on a raft without additional support at the reptile may not work.
Proper care of swamp turtles also involves the installation of two lamps above the aquarium - incandescent for heating and ultraviolet. The use of both of these devices is a prerequisite for the successful maintenance of such a turtle in captivity. Under the incandescent lamp, the pet will warm up. The source of ultraviolet radiation, Emys orbicularis, is needed for the formation of the skeleton and the carapace. Without it, these parts of the reptile's body will soon begin to deform.
It is not necessary to warm water in the aquarium when keeping a marsh turtle at home. This reptile is not tropical and feels great at a temperature of 22-24 ° C. Above the raft, the air should be heated to 27-30 C °. In this case, the incandescent lamp in combination with ultraviolet will create the effect of sunlight over the aquarium.
Menu in captivity
Care for the domestic pond turtle is, of course, and in the proper feeding. The menu of such reptiles at room content should consist mainly of fish. Moreover, it is recommended that only low-fat varieties of such a product be chosen for a turtle.
You can feed such a reptile, for example, blue whiting, pollock, saffron cod. Emys orbicularis can cause liver problems from oily fish. Also, if desired, the tortoise can be given earthworms, shrimp, squid or extra snails from an aquarium with fish.
Young individuals of Emys orbicularis do not eat plant foods at all. Adult turtles need to offer salad, dandelions, duckweed, carrots from time to time.
Young reptiles are usually fed once a day. At the same time, the turtles are offered a piece of food the size of her head, divided into several parts. Adult reptiles at home can be fed two to three times a week.