Please can you give me some advice on keeping a turtle?
Turtles can make great pets, but you need to start by thinking about the amount of space that you have available. The North American cooters and sliders look very cute as youngsters, but it is vital to bear in mind that they will grow fast and ultimately end up about the size of a large plate. This makes it very difficult to accommodate such species in the average home.
On the other hand, however, there are other species that will only reach a small size when adult. This group includes both musk turtles (Sternotherus odoratus) and Reeves’ turtle (Mauremys reevesi), which attain a length of about 15cm (6in) long. Healthy young turtles are active by nature, and will scamper readily into water when disturbed. Over time though, as your pet comes to recognise you, so it will become more friendly and less nervous. Their eyes should be open and not swollen.
It is generally not recommended to obtain two turtles to live together. They are not social by nature, and as they mature, a male is likely to persecute a female repeatedly, and can injure her in the confines of a tank. By this stage, as in tortoises, the underside of the male’s shell will appear concave. Males also have their ano-genital opening further down the underside of the tail, towards the tip.
Housing
Denne historien er fra February 2017-utgaven av Practical Reptile Keeping.
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Denne historien er fra February 2017-utgaven av Practical Reptile Keeping.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Males Not Required!
In most cases, mating is required to produce off spring, but in certain instances, particularly in the case of insects as well as some reptiles and amphibians, a single female may be able to create the next generation on her own. Paul Donovan investigates.
In Search Of A Pet Turtle
Please can you give me some advice on keeping a turtle?
Entering The World Of The Bizarre Olm
Reports on one of the strangest amphibians in the world, which is to be found in cave systems in Europe.
Why Snakes Don't Faint!
Paul Donovan considers the remarkable ways in which snakes can function, thanks to their circulatory systems, which are highly tuned to reflect their individual lifestyles.
A Dinosaur In Your Home? Unearthing The Ancestry Of Living Reptiles
So are reptiles the direct descendants of dinosaurs? They may look like them, but be prepared to be surprised as james brereton msc reveals the truth!
A Model Career For Herpetology
There are a lucky few people whose career helps them to pursue their interest in studying reptiles and amphibians – sometimes in unexpected ways. David Alderton talks with one of them.
Care & Breeding Of The Black-eyed Tree Frog
Introduction While the red-eyed tree frog (Agalychnis callidryas) takes the limelight in media terms, being popular for advertising, and also in amphibian collections, the black-eyed tree frog, also known as Morelet’s tree frog (A. moreletii) is an equally endearing frog to keep. A large, vibrant green species, this wild amphibian is under threat in the wild. Every effort is therefore required to increase the numbers of these tree frogs, based on the stock that is currently available, and hopefully raise their profile amongst hobbyist too.
