Marsh turtles belong to the class of freshwaterreptiles. Most reptiles live in ponds, lakes, rivers or canals. Sometimes they can also be seen on lawns basking in the sun, in the woods and even in mountainous areas near the ponds.
There are several species of such turtles.Inhabit reptiles on the continents of both the Southern and Northern Hemispheres. One of the brightest representatives of this family is the European swamp turtle. It is this species in the Northern Hemisphere in the wild that occurs most often.
The main distinguishing feature of the EuropeanThe turtle turtle (Emys orbicularis) is an oval shell. Carapace in the representatives of this species is low, smooth, slightly convex. The color of Emys orbicularis shell can be brown-brown or dark-olive. On the surface of the carapace of these reptiles, as well as on their skin, there are divergent bright yellow dots or dashes. The reptile looks pretty impressive and attractive.
Plastron near the European swamp turtle (photorepresentatives of this species are represented) usually has a lighter shade than the shell. Most often it is colored yellow or brown. Beak, unlike many other varieties of turtles, Emys orbicularis does not. The edges of the jaws are smooth.
Another hallmark of thisvarieties are long claws on all paws and moderately developed swimming membranes. The tail of Emys orbicularis is relatively long. In particular, this applies to males of the European swamp turtle. On the front paws of Emys orbicularis there are 5 fingers, on the back - 4.
Marsh turtles are almost black.Over time, the coloring of their shell, plastron and skin gradually becomes lighter. The body length of the newborn reptiles of this species is usually 1.5-2.5 cm. In adult individuals, the length of the carapace can reach 18-25 cm. Males of Emys orbicularis are usually smaller than females. The weight of the European swamp turtle in most cases is about 1.5 kg.
In nature, Emys orbicularis can be found onthe whole territory of Europe, in the north of Africa, in Asia, in Ukraine, in Belarus, in Russia, in the Caucasus. In our country the habitat of the European swamp turtle extends from the Smolensk region to the left bank of the Ural River.
Most often Emys orbicularis can be seen in lakesand ponds. In rivers this turtle is quite rare. The water of the reptile prefers a standing or, as a last resort, slowly flowing. Most of all Emys orbicularis loves the ponds with a muddy bottom, covered with aquatic vegetation.
The gills of the European swamp turtle, of course,no. But, as the scientist managed to find out, in case of danger, this reptile can sit under water without air for a whole day or even more (at an ambient temperature of 18 ° C). Under normal conditions, marsh turtles rise to the surface every quarter of an hour. In winter, the reptiles of this species are hibernating.
Since the European swamp turtle is apredator, her mental abilities are very well developed. Her herbivorous relatives and many other reptiles, she in this regard is much superior. In captivity, such turtles, for example, very quickly learn to recognize their owners, after a short period of time they start taking food from their hands or with tweezers, etc. That's why this interesting variety, along with predatory red rats, is often kept in aquariums as pets.
The nature of Emys orbicularis is not so bad,as, for example, the same Cayman turtle, biting for any reason. But to stand up for themselves representatives of this species can very well and descent to offenders never give. Very good for the European turtle developed and territoriality. On a boat in an aquarium, for example, each of the reptiles of this variety chooses its own place for itself. In the future, the turtle protects its territory in every possible way from the encroachments of its relatives.
Being in the water, turtles of this speciescan eat snails, worms, frogs, crustaceans. Very fond of Emys orbicularis, of course, and fish. Also representatives of this variety, although in not too large quantities, eat aquatic plants.
On land, European marsh turtles feed onmainly insects, larvae and mice. They find food in the fallen leaves, in the grass, under the branches. Most often Emys orbicularis is eaten on land. In the water, they, unlike the red-bellied turtles, rarely feed. At the same time in search of dinner, these reptiles use not only sight, but also sense of smell, which is very well developed in them.
Like most other turtles, Emysorbicularis are long-livers. However, many of their relatives in this regard, such pets, unfortunately, are inferior. In nature, these reptiles, depending on environmental conditions, live for 40-50 years. In captivity, this period is usually reduced to 25 years.
Sexual maturity European marsh turtlesreach the age of 5-8 years, the length of the shell at this age is 9-12 cm. The males of Emys orbicularis, in addition to the longer tail and smaller sizes, differ from the females also by a slightly concave plastron. Such a structure of the ventral shield facilitates reptiles of this type of mating.
Reproduction period, depending on the areahabitat, falls on the period from March to October. In Russia, Emys orbicularis mate usually in the spring, in early May. The mating game of these turtles can occur both on land and in water and lasts usually about 10-15 minutes.
Male sperm persists in the genital tract of the female before1 year. Laying eggs is always on the shore. In search of a suitable site for the construction of a nest, females can escape from water bodies for a distance of several kilometers.
For a year, one turtle usually makes up 3 clutches.The first time this happens in May. In this case, the female often lays eggs fertilized with last year's sperm. The second time the turtle builds a nest at the end of June, and the third - closer to August. The nests of these reptiles are pits of 10 to 20 cm in depth, shaped like a jug. At a time, Emys orbicularis can lay 3 to 19 neat round eggs with a white shell.
Appear in the light turtle of this speciesapproximately 2.5-3 months after the masonry. Late young growth immediately digs deeper into the sand and spends the winter there in hibernation. Active lifestyle such turtle begin to lead only from the next spring. The young from late clutches usually get to the nearest pond and winter there.
As with most other speciesturtles, the sex of the offspring of Emys orbicularis is determined by the temperature of the environment. If during the incubation period the sand warms up more than 30 ° C, the eggs hatch from the eggs. At temperatures up to +27 C °, males appear. At intermediate values from eggs hatchlings of both sexes hatch.
Distribution area of European marshThe turtles in the Northern Hemisphere are actually quite wide. At the same time in different localities there may be several different Emys orbicularis that differ in appearance.
To date, there are 16 subspecies of suchturtles, united in 5 groups. In Italy, for example, there is a marsh tortoise of the Kapalongo, in Turkey - the seychelt, in Spain - the surroundings, etc. In Russia, there is basically a normative species of Emys orbicularis orbicularis, whose armor length usually reaches 23 cm.
In the Middle Ages, the meat of a European marsh turtlepeople eagerly used for food. At the same time, this product was very popular. It was not forbidden to cook dishes from tortoise meat, like fish, even in church posts. At present, this product, of course, is not used for food.
For a long time it was believed that the marsh turtlesare capable of causing significant losses to fish farms. However, it later turned out that this is not entirely true. Emys orbicularis - turtles are actually quite quick as in water and on land. However, their attacks on fish are still unsuccessful in most situations. It is extremely rare to catch an impressive specimen in a reservoir of these reptiles. This fact is confirmed, among other things, by observations of Emys orbicularis in aquariums.
As already mentioned, the European turtle is veryoften kept in apartments as pets. But, unfortunately, this reptile at the moment is considered a kind of disappearing. In nature, as the researchers note, it is being actively replaced by the American swamp turtle. In the Red Book, this reptile is introduced in Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia, and also in all European countries. To catch Emys orbicularis in nature is not worth, of course, in Russia as well. To create for this reptile the same good conditions as at will, at home in any case will not work.
In the Red Book the swamp turtle was not in vain.In protection Emys orbicularis really needs. But if the turtle for some reason still found itself in the house and let it go to the pond or lake, there is no possibility (it happens, for example, in the winter), of course, it is necessary to try to make her living in the apartment as comfortable as possible. In order to prevent the reptile from becoming ill, it is first of all necessary to purchase a large aquarium for it. An adult turtle will need a capacity of at least 150-200 liters.
Aquarium with the content of marsh turtlesfill up to about half or slightly higher. Of course, fish in the tank with the reptile are not planted. They may not be able to chase after them, but they will not be able to catch up with some crooked gupyashka in a close aquarium. If desired, in a single tank of 200 liters can contain a couple of such turtles.
On the glass tank with a turtle on the sucker needwill fix the dam. The reptile must necessarily have the opportunity to crawl on land from time to time. Otherwise, the tortoise shell will be covered with moss, and eventually it will fall ill. Under the dam is usually also a hill of stones. The weight of the turtles of this species is quite large. And climb on a raft without additional support from a reptile may not work.
Proper care for marsh turtlesIt also presupposes the installation of two lamps over the aquarium - incandescent for heating and ultraviolet. The use of both these devices is a prerequisite for the successful keeping of such a turtle in captivity. Under the incandescent lamp, the pet will warm up. The source of ultraviolet Emys orbicularis is needed to form the backbone and shell. Without it, these parts of the body of a reptile will soon begin to deform.
Preheat the water in the aquarium with the contentsMarsh turtle at home is not necessary. This reptile is not tropical and it feels great at a temperature of 22-24 ° C. Over the dam, air must be heated to 27-30 C °. In this case, the incandescent lamp in combination with the ultraviolet will create an effect of sun rays over the aquarium.
Care for a domestic turtle turtle is,of course, in proper feeding. The menu of such reptiles with room contents should consist mainly of fish. And to choose for a turtle it is recommended only low-fat varieties of such a product.
To feed such reptiles it is possible, for example,blue whiting, pollock, and navaga. From fatty fish in Emys orbicularis can begin to have problems with the liver. Also, if desired, the tortoise can be given earthworms, shrimp, squid, or extra snails from the aquarium with fish.
Young individuals of Emys orbicularis plant foods do not eat at all. Adult turtles need from time to time to offer salad, dandelions, duckweed, carrots.
Young reptiles are usually fed once a day.In this case, 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.
