European Pond Turtle (Emys orbicularis)

European Pond Turtle Emys orbicularis
Name	European Pond Turtle
Name Lat.	Emys orbicularis
Family	Pond Turtles & Box Turtles
Family lat.	Emydidae
Order	Turtles
Order lat.	Testudines
Origin	Europe
Habitat	Overgrown waterbodies
Diet	Fish, insects, plants
Humidity	50-70 %
Behavior	Peaceful
Keeping	Individual, pair, group
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Oviparous
Housing	Aquaterrarium, Pond
Life Span	15-20 years
Protection	EU FFH-Directive Annex IV
Metric Units
Size	11-20 cm
Temperature	20-25 °C
Temperature Local	32-35 °C
Housing Size	120 x 60 x 60 cm
US Units
Size	4.3"-8"
Temperature	68-77 °F
Temperature Local	90-95 °F
Housing Size	45" x 25" x 25"

Distribution and habitat

The distribution range extends from western Asia via northern Africa to southern and central Europe. Also in Austria there are still some populations (Danube oxbow lakes). They live in heavily weedy, stagnant and slow-flowing waters.

Maintenance

Minimum dimensions for the aquaterrarium, according to the size and number of animals

floor space for 1-2 animals: 5PL x 2,5PL (L x W)

Water level: 2PB

The carapace length (PL) and carapace width (PB) is measured on the largest animal. For each additional animal, increase the footprint by 10%, and for the 5th animal and larger, increase the footprint by 20%. An aquaterrarium of e.g. L 120 x W 60 x H 60 cm is recommended, which should be placed in a quiet and vibration-free place.

It needs a spacious, well structured aquaterrarium. The water part, with a soft, muddy substrate, should be structured with roots, aquatic plants and larger stones (visual barriers and hiding places), some of which reach the water surface. For this purpose, they need a terrestrial part (approx. 1/3 of the bottom surface) for drying, which is equipped with a soft, muddy-sandy bottom substrate, with plants and roots as well as with sunning places. To maintain water quality, a powerful filter with low flow is recommended, as well as frequent water changes

	Water Temp	Lighting	Sunny
Summer	20-25 °C	12-14 hrs.	32-35 °C
winter (3-5 months)	4-8 °C	6-8 hrs

They need daily UV irradiation and sunny places with radiant heat.

Diet

The diet consists of insect larvae, snails, earthworms, mealworm larvae, shrimp, fish pieces, scraped beef or liver, supplemented with pelleted or freeze-dried ready-to-eat food. Frozen food is also well accepted. In addition, lettuce, dandelion, endive and aquatic plants (e.g. waterweed) should be offered. Young animals should be offered food daily, adults twice a week. Regular addition of minerals and vitamins is important

A varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Reproduction and breeding

Males have a concave ventral carapace and a much longer tail than females. The anal opening of the male is closer to the tip of the tail than in the female

Mating occurs in the water in the spring and egg laying (up to 16 eggs) occurs between May and June. A small, sandy shore is necessary for egg laying. The incubation period is 52-107 days (usually 70 days) at a temperature of 24-30 °C.

Life expectancy can be 15-20 years.

Species protection

The animal population must be reported in writing to the competent authority immediately after the start of keeping. Subsequently, all arrivals and departures must be reported. Your pet store will be happy to provide you with further information.

Protection of species: EU FFH Directive Anahng IV. The proof of purchase is the required proof of origin for the animal. Please keep it safe!

Important

They can be kept all year round in the garden pond with a minimum water depth of 1 m.

Hibernation lasts 3-5 months depending on the origin of the animals and takes place in water (skin respiration!) or in moist substrate at 4-8 °C

The terrarium must have good ventilation without drafts and meet the species-specific needs. Measuring devices such as thermometers, hygrometers etc. are necessary. The lighting has to correspond to the species-specific day-night rhythm and has to be placed in such a way that the animals cannot injure themselves. The terrarium should be locked in such a way that neither unauthorized persons can open it nor the animals can escape. Contamination must be removed regularly.

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: Christian Sänger; Image: petdata

Source: BMELV (1997): Tierschutzgutachten - Mindestanforderungen an die Haltung von Reptilien; ENGELMANN (2006): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Reptilien und Amphibien, Verlag Harri Deutsch

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF