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Red-eared turtle, (Trachemys scripta elegans, Wied Neuwied, 1839)
Length: Up to 30cms in length (typically seen between 15 to 20cms) females being larger than males of the same age.
Family: Emydidae.
The Red-eared turtle is an evasive species in Spain, it is also known by a few other names (The elegant jicotea, Red-eared slider, Florida galapago) and is often referred to as the Japanese turtle, even though it is not a turtle native to Japan. Maybe because inside the eye it has a small horizontal stripe, giving the appearance of a Japanese looking eye.
This turtle is very robust, being able to adapt to most warm aquatic conditions world-wide, this being one of the main reasons why the Mediterranean turtle (Mauremys leprosa) and the Pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) are in serious decline. Also, with their habitats being reduced, due to human occupation, pollution is also a main factor for their well-being. On the commercial side, the Red-eared turtle was bought into Spain by the hundreds and thousands at a time, solely traded as pets; many of these were released for various reasons or escaped into the country side. They have thrived in the wild, by being larger and more aggressive than the native turtles, which cannot compete for food and sunbathing areas.
Unfortunately, “Trachemys scripta elegans” is now recognised in the list of one hundred, of the “International Union for Conservation of Nature” of most harmful alien invasive species. It is also included in the Spanish Catalogue of Alien Species, which prohibits anyone in the possession of this turtle. Obviously, it is now also against the law to introduce this species into the natural environment, or trade and transport within Spain.
The Red-eared turtle given the right conditions to live in can live between 20 to 30 years, some can live over 40 years. In captivity they do not have such a long life-span. Being poikilotherms animals, they are unable to regulate their own body temperature, so basking in the sun, is a very important behavioural practice to increase and maintain its body temperature. In the colder winter months, the turtle will hibernate at the bottom of a shallow pond, lake or swamp, for an ideal hibernating place.
Habitat: Ponds, lakes, swamp lands, slow running rivers and streams are favoured. Always near to various water scenarios with easy access to climb on partially submerged logs and surrounding rocks conveniently placed to safely bask on.
Diet: A good source of aquatic plants being the main diet for adults, but will also prey on small fish, young frogs, frog spawn and various aquatic insects will also be eaten.
The green shells are coloured green for camouflage reasons, the carapace (shell) becomes darker green to Olive brown as the turtle matures in age. They reach sexual maturity around 4 to 5 years of age in the wild. (In Captivity, a little earlier in age). From the month of March to July, mating usually takes place under water, for around 45 minutes to two hours, after a gestation period of approximately two months.the female will lay between two to twenty eggs buried in soil close to the waters edged.
Read MoreLength: Up to 30cms in length (typically seen between 15 to 20cms) females being larger than males of the same age.
Family: Emydidae.
The Red-eared turtle is an evasive species in Spain, it is also known by a few other names (The elegant jicotea, Red-eared slider, Florida galapago) and is often referred to as the Japanese turtle, even though it is not a turtle native to Japan. Maybe because inside the eye it has a small horizontal stripe, giving the appearance of a Japanese looking eye.
This turtle is very robust, being able to adapt to most warm aquatic conditions world-wide, this being one of the main reasons why the Mediterranean turtle (Mauremys leprosa) and the Pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) are in serious decline. Also, with their habitats being reduced, due to human occupation, pollution is also a main factor for their well-being. On the commercial side, the Red-eared turtle was bought into Spain by the hundreds and thousands at a time, solely traded as pets; many of these were released for various reasons or escaped into the country side. They have thrived in the wild, by being larger and more aggressive than the native turtles, which cannot compete for food and sunbathing areas.
Unfortunately, “Trachemys scripta elegans” is now recognised in the list of one hundred, of the “International Union for Conservation of Nature” of most harmful alien invasive species. It is also included in the Spanish Catalogue of Alien Species, which prohibits anyone in the possession of this turtle. Obviously, it is now also against the law to introduce this species into the natural environment, or trade and transport within Spain.
The Red-eared turtle given the right conditions to live in can live between 20 to 30 years, some can live over 40 years. In captivity they do not have such a long life-span. Being poikilotherms animals, they are unable to regulate their own body temperature, so basking in the sun, is a very important behavioural practice to increase and maintain its body temperature. In the colder winter months, the turtle will hibernate at the bottom of a shallow pond, lake or swamp, for an ideal hibernating place.
Habitat: Ponds, lakes, swamp lands, slow running rivers and streams are favoured. Always near to various water scenarios with easy access to climb on partially submerged logs and surrounding rocks conveniently placed to safely bask on.
Diet: A good source of aquatic plants being the main diet for adults, but will also prey on small fish, young frogs, frog spawn and various aquatic insects will also be eaten.
The green shells are coloured green for camouflage reasons, the carapace (shell) becomes darker green to Olive brown as the turtle matures in age. They reach sexual maturity around 4 to 5 years of age in the wild. (In Captivity, a little earlier in age). From the month of March to July, mating usually takes place under water, for around 45 minutes to two hours, after a gestation period of approximately two months.the female will lay between two to twenty eggs buried in soil close to the waters edged.
