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| | There are 30 types of turtles in the family of fresh-water turtles. Based upon the conditions of habitat, the turtles can be usually divided into two groups. The first group is of the turtles that live totally in water, the second group is of the turtles that live on ground but have not broken their relations with water completely. Only four types of turtles belong to the second group - mountainous, thorny, hissing and box-shaped. All the remaining types of turtles belong to the first group.
Qualities: They live a long life. Turtles are long-living animals from among the reptiles and often cross hundred years of age.
Sizes: The largest among water turtles is the sea leatherback turtle whose shell is upto 2 meters in length, and its weight may be upto 600 kg.
From the history of origins: first turtles appeared on earth some 200 million years ago, and for the last 150 million years they have not changed practically. Turtles live in the rivers and ponds, deserts and tropical forests, high mountains and seas. Turtles are grouped into 12 families, each of which has its own origin. This way, land turtles are mostly widespread across Central and Southern Africa, fresh-water turtles are found in South East Asia and the snake necked turtles are inhabitants of Australia and South America.
Food: Fresh-water turtles are mostly predators. They eat different types of shellfish (mollusks), arthropods, fish and other vertebrates. But often they also include plants and fruits in their diet, which is apparently not peculiar to predators.
In captivity, the turtles are fed with fish, frogs, mice, fresh-water mollusks (shellfish), shrimps, crickets, cockroaches, earthworms, moths, pieces of meat, liver or fillet of quid. Young turtles must be fed with small pieces of fish with bones; adult turtles should be given large pieces or fish as a whole. Frozen fish should be defrosted first and served warm to the animals. Shells of large fresh-water shellfish must be crushed. From among plants, it is recommended to feed them with salad, cabbage, dandelion leaves and different types of seaweed.
Animal and vegetative feeds should be altered. Young turtles of up to two years of age must be fed every day, and for adults - 2-3 times a week is enough.
Terrarium: fresh-water turtles must be kept in aquarium. For a pair of turtles with shell length 20-30 cm, approximately 150-200 liters of water is required, and with shell length 30-35 cm - about 300 liters. It is to be noted, that this is the quantity of water required, and not the volume of aquarium. The volume of aquarium should be much more, as it must be filled 15-20 cm below the edge so that the turtles can not get out of it. Besides, it is better to cover the aquarium with a net or mesh cover, which the turtles can not lift and move.
The islet should occupy one third of the area of water. It is better to place it in the centre. The islet must be made in the following manner: two identical plates of same size, may be of plexiglas, are fastened by means of a wire one over another at an acute angle. On the upper inclined plate, make superficial notches or dents, so that the turtles could easily reach the islet. At one edge, this upper inclined plate must be lowered in water to such a depth, so that it is sufficient for turtle to come out on it. The bottom plate is completely immersed in water parallel to the bottom, in such a manner that when the turtle is on the plate, it could easily raise its head over the water for breathing. Such a design of the islet simulates the feeling of being on the land when the turtle is on the upper plate, and in the shallow water when the turtle is on the bottom plate. The area of plate should be such that all the turtles at desire could feel comfortable on it.
Reproduction: All the turtles lay eggs. When the time to lay eggs arrives, a deep cuvette has to be fastened to the upper plate for which the same upper plate also serves as a trap. Put clean washed sand or peat in cuvette. A warming device must be established above the cuvette. |
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