European Pond Turtle

Class: Reptiles

Order: Turtles

Family: Freshwater turtles

Weight: 1,5 kg

Height: approximately 10 cm

Body length: 12-38 cm

Color: The shell of an adult turtle is usually dark olive, brownish-brown or dark brown in color. There can be small yellow spots, dots or streaks on the surface of the shell. The head, neck, legs and tail areas are darker in color. ВК49865

Age of Sexual Maturity: European pond turtles reach sexual maturity at 6-8 years of age.

Life expectancy: up to 50 years.

Habitat: They can be found in the southern, central and eastern parts of Europe. Six large populations remain in France, but they are on the verge of extinction. There are two subspecies of European marsh turtles in Russia. They can be found in the Caucasus and Crimea. Also you can find them in Belarus.

Diet: The primary diet consists of invertebrates, worms and small crustaceans.

Did You Know?

• Reptiles can stay without air for up to 2 hours. During this time, their anaerobic respiration mechanism kicks in.
• When the incubation temperature is above 30°C, only females hatch from the eggs. Males are born at temperatures below 30°C.
• European pond turtles have a keen sense of smell. If pieces of meat are wrapped in paper and thrown into the water, they will definitely find them.