Decorated painted turtle. Western painted turtle Gulf Coast box turtle

Chrysemys picta picta

2000-4000 rub.

(Chrysemys picta picta)

Class - reptiles
Squad - turtles

Family - American freshwater turtles

Genus – Chrysemys

Appearance

The length of an adult female painted turtle is 10-25 cm, males are smaller than females.

The upper part of the shell is smooth, oval, without a ridge. The turtle's skin color ranges from olive to black, with red, orange or yellow stripes on its limbs.

There are 4 subspecies that emerged due to geographic isolation during the last ice age. Based on the structure and color of the shell, you can determine which subspecies the turtle belongs to:

in Chrysemys picta picta, the segments of the upper part of the shell are located parallel to each other,

Chrysemys picta marginata has a gray spot on the lower part of the shell,

in Chrysemys picta dorsalis there is a red stripe running across the entire upper part of the shell,

Chrysemys picta bellii has a red pattern on the lower part of its shell.

Habitat

The most widespread North American turtle. Is the only turtle in the Americas whose natural range extends from the Atlantic to Pacific Ocean. It occurs naturally in eight of ten Canadian provinces, forty-five of fifty US states, and one state in Mexico. On east coast North America it lives from the Maritime Provinces of Canada in the north to Georgia in the south. On the west coast it lives in British Columbia, the states of Washington and Oregon, as well as on Vancouver Island in the southeast. The painted turtle is the northernmost of the American turtles: its range covers most of southern Canada. The southern tip of the painted turtle's range reaches the coasts of Louisiana and Alabama. Only isolated populations occur in the southwestern United States. They are also found in one of the rivers in the very north of Mexico. Natural populations Painted turtles have not been found in southwestern Virginia and neighboring states, nor have they been found in northern and central Alabama.

Lifestyle

Being a cold-blooded reptile, painted turtle regulates body temperature through behavioral responses to changes in the environment. Turtles of all ages need to bask in the sun, so comfortable basking spots attract a large number of turtles different types. According to some observations, more than 50 turtles can fit on one log. Despite the fact that logs and snags are favorite places for warming up for turtles, turtles use any objects protruding from the water for this purpose. For example, painted turtles were observed sunbathing, sitting on loons, which, in turn, were sitting on eggs.

The turtle begins its day by getting out of the water and warming itself for several hours. Having warmed up enough, it returns to the water in search of food. Having lost a certain amount of heat, the turtle climbs out of the water again to warm up. During the day, 2-3 cycles of warming and feeding are possible. At night, the turtle dives to the bottom of the reservoir or clings to some underwater object and falls asleep.

To remain active, a turtle must maintain its core body temperature between 17-23 °C. At infectious disease A turtle can increase its body temperature by several degrees by prolonged exposure to the sun.

Painted turtles can travel several kilometers in search of food, water or mates. In summer, in response to the heat, turtles may leave dry areas in favor of permanent bodies of water. Short overland migrations can be carried out by hundreds of turtles at once. In case of prolonged heat and drought, turtles fall into summer hibernation, burrowing into the ground, which saves them from death, except in extreme situations.

In search of food, turtles often cross bodies of water or travel along streams. Observations show that there is a relationship between the sex and age of the turtle and the distance it covers.

Painted turtles have been shown to have homing abilities through visual recognition of terrain. Many turtles returned to the points where they were first picked up and tagged, moving through the water or on land.

Painted turtles search for prey along the bottom of a reservoir. They sharply stick their heads into thickets of vegetation to force potential prey to jump out into open water, where it is easy to catch. They hold large prey with their mouths and tear them to pieces with their forelimbs. In addition, they eat aquatic vegetation and plankton. These turtles can be observed swimming along the surface of the water with their mouths open and swallowing small particles of food.

Reproduction

Painted turtles mate in spring and autumn, when water temperatures range between 10-25 °C. Males begin to generate sperm in early spring, when they can warm their core body temperature to 17°C. Females begin their reproductive cycle in midsummer, so ovulation occurs the following spring.

The courtship ritual begins with the male following the female until he comes face to face with her. The male strokes the female's face and neck with his outstretched front claws, and the interested female copies his movements. A pair of turtles repeats the ritual several times, the male either moving away from the female or returning to her until she dives to the bottom of the reservoir, where mating occurs. The dominant female in a pair is the larger one. The female can store enough sperm in her oviducts for three clutches. The sperm remains vital until three years. Each clutch may contain offspring of several males.

Females dig nests from the second half of May to mid-July. Nests are typically dug in sandy soil and are vase-shaped, facing south. Most nests are located within 200 meters of the pond, but some nests have been found as far as 600 meters from the shore. A certain correlation was found between the age of the turtle and the distance from the shore to its nest. The size of the nests varies depending on the size of the female and the characteristics of the site, but, as a rule, they are from 5 to 11 cm in depth. Females may return to the same spot year after year, but if several females dig nests close to each other, the threat of predation increases.

The optimal body temperature of a female digging a nest is 29-30 °C. In weather conditions that do not allow this temperature to be achieved (for example, higher temperatures environment), the turtle postpones preparing the nest. One observation of painted turtles in Virginia during hot, dry weather showed painted turtles waiting three weeks for the right conditions.

When preparing to dig a nest, the female sometimes presses her throat to the ground, perhaps assessing its moisture, warmth, composition or smell. Sometimes females dig several nests, of which only one is used.

The female digs the ground with her hind limbs. Sand and dirt stuck to them can restrict the turtle's movements, making it vulnerable to predators. The turtle solves this problem by wetting its limbs with urine. Once the nest is ready, the turtle lays eggs in it. Newly laid eggs are elliptical in shape, white, porous and elastic. The process of laying eggs can take several hours. Sometimes the female remains on land all night and returns to the water only in the morning.

Female painted turtles can produce up to five clutches per year, but generally the population average does not exceed two clutches per year, given that 30% to 50% of females in the population do not produce a single clutch in a year. given year. In some northern populations, no female produced more than one clutch per year. Larger females tend to lay larger eggs and more eggs. The clutch size depends on the subspecies. The larger the females of the subspecies and the further north they live, the more eggs they lay in one clutch. The average clutch size for the western subspecies is 11.9 eggs, for the central - 7.6, for the eastern - 4.9 and, finally, for the smallest, southern subspecies - 4.2 eggs per clutch.

Incubation lasts 72-80 days per natural environment. Turtles hatch from eggs in August and September using a special egg tooth. In southern populations, turtles, as a rule, immediately leave the nest, but in northern ones (north of the Nebraska - Illinois - New Jersey line) they burrow into the nest, survive the winter in it and leave the nest the following spring.

The turtles' ability to overwinter in a nest has allowed painted turtles to expand their range northward further than other American turtles. Painted turtles are genetically adapted to long periods of freezing temperatures. Their blood does not freeze, and their skin prevents the penetration of ice crystals from the outside. There is a limit to this adaptation, and severe frosts can kill many turtles.

First week active life(which may begin next spring for northern populations), turtles live off the yolk digested during incubation, and after that they begin to get their own food. Turtles grow quickly at first, sometimes doubling in size in the first year of life. Turtles' growth slows down sharply (or stops completely) once they reach sexual maturity. Turtle growth rates vary from population to population (probably depending on the quantity and quality of food and other conditions). If we compare subspecies, the fastest growing are representatives of the western, largest subspecies.

Females grow faster than males, but reach sexual maturity later. In most populations, males reach sexual maturity by 2-4 years, and females by 6-10 years. The size of turtles and the age of sexual maturity increase in the direction from south to north. At the northern end of their range, males reach sexual maturity at 7-9 years, and females at 11-16 years.

Turtles can be kept in groups.

To keep this type of reptile, a horizontal one with dimensions of 50x70x50 cm is required. The total proportion of water that should be allocated for the aquaterrarium should be 50-60% of the bottom area. At the same time, it is necessary to think over a water purification system, because the water will become polluted quite quickly and require replacement every two to three days. Aquarium filters designed for volumes of 200-300 liters of water become clogged quite quickly, and more powerful filters will create a strong flow of water, as a result of which the animal will experience discomfort from the constant strong flow of water. A small flow of water should be created in the aquaterrarium, simulating the flow of a river. Twice a week it is necessary to add water to the aquaterrarium to replace the evaporated water. Once a month it is necessary to completely replace the water with clean water. With any water change, it is worth remembering that the water from the tap must sit for at least one day. The water temperature should be 26-28°C, the background air temperature in the terrarium 24-27°C. Incandescent lamps must be placed near the surface of the land. In this case, the distance from the land to the lamp must be such that the animal cannot reach the lamp, otherwise the turtle may get burned and injured. The temperature at the heating point should be 28-32°C. For supporting comfortable temperature water, you can place an aquarium heater in the water. At night, a slight decrease in temperature to 23-25°C is recommended.

It is not recommended to place aquarium plants in the aquaterrarium, because the turtle will definitely eat them. For the same reason, you should not use artificial or poisonous plants in an aquaterrarium, as this will lead to the death of the animal.

A lamp must be installed in the aquaterrarium daylight, with UV radiation. The most optimal lamp for this type of reptile is the Repti Glo 5.0 lamp. Length daylight hours should be about 10-12 hours.

It is worth remembering that it is best to change the water of a reptile after feeding it, because the animal will eat in the water and the water will certainly become contaminated.

The North American painted turtle lives in captivity up to 20-25 years

The painted turtle (also called the painted turtle) belongs to the family of American freshwater turtles. The turtle owes its name to its appearance: the graceful stripes on its body and shell seem to have been drawn with a brush. We can say that these reptiles are miniature. The length of the shell of an adult turtle is 10-20 cm, the record is 25 cm. Compare with the caiman turtle, whose shell is all 45 cm! Females are slightly larger than males.

The upper part of the shell (carapace) is oval, smooth, flattened. Range of body and shell colors: from dark green to black; stripes are yellow, red or orange. Each subspecies has its own structure and pattern on the shell. Thus, in Chrysemys picta dorsalis there is a red stripe stretching across the carapace, and in Chrysemys picta marginata there is a silvery spot on the plastron (lower part of the shell).

Lifespan

The average lifespan of a decorated turtle varies from 15 to 25 years.

Features of maintenance and care

About 20 years ago, a decorated turtle as pet was the second most popular, after the red-eared one. However, mass capture for commercial purposes has led to a decrease in their numbers, and some states have begun to prohibit the trade and transportation of painted turtles. Today, these pets still remain exotic.

In general, the conditions of detention are the same as those red eared turtles. The main thing is that the aquaterrarium is spacious, that there is an island of land with sources of heat and light, safe plants and decorative branches, that the water is regularly updated, that the food is suitable and balanced. Recommended temperature in the aquaterrarium: 24-27°C.

Ornate turtles are quite independent in nature. They don't like to be touched or handled. Therefore, it is not recommended to bring them into families with children.

Spreading

IN wildlife Ornamented turtles are found throughout Canada and the United States. This is the most common turtle species in North America.

American freshwater turtles live primarily in stagnant, shallow bodies of water, but also inhabit smooth rivers with muddy bottoms and abundant vegetation. They love to bask and often climb onto cliffs or trees that have fallen into the water. They hibernate during the winter.

After emerging from hibernation, turtles begin mating, for which they need enough low temperature water. Therefore, quite often the mating period occurs in autumn, less often in early spring.

In early June, females look for a sunny area near water, dig deep and narrow holes and lay in them from 4 to 15 oval eggs with soft shells.

Babies hatched from eggs spend the first days of life in exceptional silence so as not to attract the attention of predators. They are in real danger of being eaten from all sides, and their main enemy is predatory fish, for whom small turtles are desirable prey. However, as turtles grow up, they retain the habit of making as little sounds as possible. North American painted turtles have a highly developed sense of smell and color vision, but with hearing the situation is worse.

North American painted turtles live in freshwater rivers and lakes with a muddy bottom, on pebble shallows, densely overgrown with vegetation.

The Western Painted Turtle is considered the most... major representative of its own kind. Currently, as a result of crossing Western painted turtles with representatives of other subspecies, hybrids have been obtained that perfectly adapt to life in captivity.

This turtle is distributed from Ontario to British Columbia, Missouri, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Wyoming. Quite significant populations are found in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Chihuahua (Mexico).

Shell length adult can reach 25 cm (usually 20 cm). The carapace is green, with a web of light patterns. The plastron is yellow, sometimes reddish, with a dark blurred pattern.

LIFESTYLE

In natural habitats, turtles prefer shallows, ponds, swamps, lakes with a clay bottom and an abundance of aquatic plants. Western painted turtles are predominantly diurnal; at dusk, the animals sink to the bottom or hide on semi-submerged logs.

Western painted turtle

Sunbathing among Western painted turtles resembles a kind of ritual. A few hours after sunrise, in the habitats of these animals you can find several dozen individuals of various age groups basking in the sun.

In the morning they return to land and spend several hours in the sun before going in search of food. Between meals, turtles take breaks to rest, after which the feeding process resumes.

Western painted turtles begin mating season in early March. During this period, the turtles split into pairs, and the males begin courtship. The male swims around the female, periodically colliding with her head, after which he grabs her neck and head with his long claws and shakes his whole body. The female, ready for mating, sinks to the bottom of the pond and extends her forelimbs.

The female lays eggs not far from the shore in a hole that she digs in the sand. The sex of the embryos is affected by the temperature of the incubation period: at a temperature of 30.5 °C females hatch, and at 25 °C males hatch. At average temperature equal numbers of males and females are hatched.

Baby turtles are released into the world by biting through the egg shell with their caruncle, or egg tooth, which falls out a few days after birth. The shell of a newborn turtle is elongated with a keel. With age, its outline changes somewhat.

The pigmentation of the shell in babies is lighter, and the patterns are more distinct than in adults.

Turtles reach physical maturity at the age of 5 years. These animals live up to 15–20 years.

Western painted turtles tolerate colder temperatures well. Even very small animals survive in relatively mild frosts, and adult individuals feel great swimming under the ice. However, turtles living in the northern regions prefer to hibernate during this time, burying themselves in piles of silt or mud. The amount of oxygen that enters their body through the skin is enough for them during hibernation. Animals living in the southern regions are active all year round.

Painted turtles have a very varied diet. They eat both plant and animal foods. Young turtles prefer food of animal origin, but as they grow older they switch almost entirely to plant foods.

Many hobbyists keep Western painted turtles at home, equipping them with spacious terrariums. But it is worth noting that these animals are very timid and any sudden human movement causes them to panic: turtles immediately hide at the bottom of an artificial reservoir.

Distributed on the east coast of the USA. From the conditions of detention it requires sufficiently loose and at the same time moist soil for making a nest.

APPEARANCE

The carapace of the eastern painted tortoise usually has a length of 13 to 15 cm, but there are individual individuals whose carapace length is 18 cm. A peculiarity of this animal is that the lateral and vertebral scutes of the carapace are located in the same plane. The color of the carapace is olive or dark brown, the plastron is yellow, sometimes with brown spots. On the head of the eastern painted turtle, behind the eyes, are yellow spots, and on the sides of the head and neck there are two stripes, which are colored yellow on the head and turn red on the neck. There are red spots on the marginal scutes, as well as on the limbs and tail.

Eastern painted turtle

LIFESTYLE

The painted turtle spends most of its life in the water, occasionally coming out onto land to bask in the sun. In case of danger, she hides in the water. These turtles do not always hibernate, often spending the winter under the ice.

This subspecies lives in the southern states of the USA. When kept in captivity, it places increased demands on temperature and humidity conditions.

APPEARANCE

The southern painted turtle differs from the previous species in that on its carapace there is an orange longitudinal stripe located along the spine. There are also orange stripes on the marginal shields. The length of the carapace of this turtle does not exceed 15 cm.

LIFESTYLE

Shows activity throughout the year. Unlike other species of painted turtles, they do not hibernate. One female usually makes up to three clutches per year, each clutch containing from 5 to 12 eggs.

Incubation period lasts 45–60 days; Depending on the temperature, either males (at low temperatures) or females (at high temperatures) are born.

Southern painted turtle

Pennsylvania turtles are small freshwater animals that live in the southern regions of the United States and inhabit mainly fresh or brackish bodies of water with slow currents and abundant vegetation. These reptiles rarely come onto land.

APPEARANCE

The carapace of the Pennsylvania tortoise is olive or dark brown in color and has a length of 7.5 to 12.5 cm. The plastron consists of two movable plates and is yellow or brown in color.

Males are distinguished from females by the dorsal ridge at the end of the tail and rough growths on inside limbs.

LIFESTYLE

The mating period lasts from March to May, and in June, females lay eggs, digging nests up to 12 cm deep in plant debris. The number of eggs in a clutch can be from 1 to 6. Pennsylvania turtles reach sexual maturity in the 5-7th year of life.

Decorated (painted) box turtle- land species. When a turtle is in danger, it burrows into the ground. Of all the North American turtle species, this species is the most difficult to keep in captivity and is not recommended for beginners.

Habitat: North America.
Life expectancy: 30-40 years.

In nature, the painted turtle lives in different environments. It is found throughout the United States, but in general, this species prefers more high temperatures and dry areas. There are two subspecies of this turtle: Terrapene ornata ornata And Terrapene ornata luteola.

An adult decorated box turtle reaches a length of 10-15 cm. Its jaws are sharp. Males are distinguished from females by their slightly concave plastron and red eyes (females have brown eyes).

The aquarium is not suitable for keeping in captivity. It is best to keep a box turtle in a pen (if possible) or in a spacious terrarium. Peat-based humus or a mixture of humus and sphagnum moss is used as a substrate. The thickness of the substrate should be at least 7.5-11 cm. Turtles should always have access to fresh water. The temperature in the terrarium is maintained between 26.6-29.4"C (in the heating area) and 21.1"C in the cooler part of the terrarium. The Ornamental Turtle is an omnivore, eating a variety of fruits and vegetables (grapes, cantaloupe, bananas, tomatoes). Some individuals eat scindapsus (pothos) and cacti. From live food, they can be fed to crickets (with added calcium), wax moth larvae, mealworms, earthworms and newborn mice. Breeding season box turtles falls at the end of summer. Sexual maturity occurs at 1-2 years. In June, the female begins to dig nest holes, usually in sandy soil, into which she lays 2-8 eggs. After laying, the female buries the nest. The incubation period lasts 55-70 days.

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