Today we face the rearing water turtles, and specifically of Trachemys scripta scripta, (or more commonly known as the yellow-eared turtle).
CLASSIFICATION
Order:
Testudines Suborder: CRYPTODIRA
Family: EMYDIDIAE
Genre:
Trachemys Species: Trachemys scripta
behavioral characteristics
is strictly an aquatic animal, it passes the cooler hours of the day on a rock or a log emerged to receive the benefits of sunlight and regulate its body temperature, in the middle of the day in the sun when temperatures are high prefer to stay in the water. It feeds in the morning and then use the heat of the sun to help digest food.
PHYSICAL
sizes vary according to sex and rearing conditions: in general its measures vary between 12 cm and 28 cm (achieved by females). The plastron (ie the bottom of the turtle) is a deep yellow color and has two spots, one for each Scuto gulare (part of the plastron, which is located near the throat), although it is easy to see Piastroni with several spots on various scuti. The carapace (top shell that is) has a bright green in youth, with the passage of time, the colors tend to darken up to have specimens with a carapace nearly black. The scuti are replaced periodically. The head of the drawings presents clear and yellow stripes more prominent over the eyes that tend to darken with age.
sexual dimorphism Sexual dimorphism is particularly evident in this species: males are smaller, forward-facing claws very pronounced (up to 3 cm), the tail has a very large base and concave plastron is presented to facilitate the 'coupling. Females are larger however, the nails of the front legs are not very prominent, the tail is thin and the plastron plate to increase the space to contain the eggs.
Females are sexually mature at around 2 years of age, when they reach a size of about 18 cm, while males have about 10 cm.
kept in captivity
You can keep them at home in a suitably equipped aquaterrariums minimum size of 100 cm x 50 cm by taking an adult turtle. The water level must allow the turtle to breathe into the hind legs anchored to the ground. Considering that they are excellent swimmers and can raise the level of 'providing water, however, holds the parking areas or less deep.
For Trachemys scripta scripta are recommended water temperature between 23 and 27 degrees: 25-26 degrees Celsius are ideal especially for juveniles, while adults are also a few degrees less (24-25), the below 20 degrees are starting to show slowing of metabolism, appetite and apathy, a situation detrimental to their health. At night it is expedient in temperature a few degrees. It is necessary to provide the area aquaterrariums showed no sharp stones or made of logs (excellent mangrove roots) and a large surface area of \u200b\u200bat least 30% of the water area. The area should be revealed with a fluorescent UVB (essential) with a minimum of 5% on 10 to 12 hours and placed at a distance of 30 cm and a spot bulb type capable of heating a point, raising the temperature to 30-31 degrees Celsius necessary for their thermoregulation, thereby creating a temperature gradient.
POWER
is an omnivorous species, takes the necessary nutrition for many foods it is necessary that the diet is extremely varied and balanced. From the observations in nature has been able to observe how young are almost completely carnivorous varying from time to time with food of plant origin, while the percentage of adults from plant foods is increasing. In the wild they feed on everything that happens around them: fish, insects, mollusks, worms, small mammals, tadpoles, amphibians, carrion, feces, algae, aquatic plants and submerged plants. Captive power must be extremely varied. The young people need a daily supply frequency with a fast day, adults can safely be fed every 3 days face their digestive time much slower than the young. The Trachemys scripta Scripts can follow a diet of fish 's fresh water (bleak, acquadelle, trout, etc. ..) alive, dead or whole depending on the size of the turtle: for individuals younger and better if dead, without bones, but keeping all entrails of a good size for adults or even live interaction with all the innards that contain important nutrients. To this should be integrated with other foods welcome: insects (crickets, earthworms, grasshoppers, moths flour ...), tadpoles, small invertebrates (snails shell is rich in calcium) and plant foods (dandelion, wild chicory, arugula , radicchio, lentils, water, aquatic plants of all kinds, etc. ...). The plant part can be a good 20% of the diet of young people up to 50% or more in adults. It is recommended to use sparingly and fruit red and white meat. Every now and then can be fed food pellets for great brand but not abuse it (maximum 30% power). You always have a good idea to leave a cuttlebone to supply needed calcium or sprinkle the food with calcium carbonate. Please note that each food has its pros and cons so it is necessary that the diet is extremely varied in order to avoid a shortage of any kind. Any vitamin supplements may be made under guidance and pass a veterinary expert in reptiles, after having made aware of the species bred and diet.
