Balkan pond turtle

Westkaspische turtle

The Westkaspische turtle ( Mauremys rivulata ), also Balkan terrapin, terrapin Eurasian or East-Mediterranean pond turtle is a species of terrapins ( Mauremys ), sometimes known as subspecies of the Caspian terrapin ( Mauremys caspica ) is considered. The Westkaspische turtle is also kept as a pet.

Taxonomy

So far, the Westkaspische terrapin was regarded as a subspecies of the Caspian terrapin, published in 1997 Uwe Fritz, however, something on the subject, which he described the previous Mauremys caspica rivulata basis of some features as own kind and the other kind, Mauremys caspica one hurried into three subspecies in the same train, namely the nominate (M. c. caspica ) and M. c. ventrimaculata and M. c. siebenrocki.

Distribution and occurrence

The Westkaspische turtle is found in Greece, Southeastern Europe, Western Turkey, Israel and Syria.

She lives there as a terrapin in and around freshwater, comparable with the related unspecified resident in Germany, the European pond turtle ( Emys orbicularis), which shares a large part of its distribution area with this type.

The Westkaspische turtle also occurs in artificial and even in polluted waters, nevertheless, the possible threat of habitat change is a threat to the kind dar.

Way of life

Activity

According to observations in Jordan Westkaspische terrapin is usually mornings and afternoons active while they usually basks noon and at temperatures around 12 ° C. inactive resident in the mud at the bottom of the water.

Food

Mauremys rivulata is an omnivore. It will be eaten insects, carrion, snails, amphibians and their eggs and the like, but also vegetable such as algae. In addition, they also assume unnatural foods such as pasta,