european pond turtle hatchling care

ryan · 30-11-2009, 09:06 PM

Im getting my hatchling euro's soon and Im still struggling to find good solid info esp for hatchlings.

I have a indoor aquarium set up until they go into a preformed indoor pond in spring.

Im looking for water temps, a good diet and general info

Thanks

Kirkie · 30-11-2009, 09:36 PM

Buy this book for starters Ryan...

European Pond Turtle, Emys orbicularis by Manfred Rogner
Series: CHELONIAN LIBRARY 4
by Manfred Rogner, 270 pages, col & b/w photos, published by Edition Chimaira.

They will fare perfectly well in a pond setup from next spring. I think its the best long term option by far.

ryan · 01-12-2009, 08:13 PM

Thanks

Been trying to find a copy in the UK

Trying for find info on substrate too if anyone can help

ryan · 01-12-2009, 08:19 PM

Found somewhere to buy the book. Cant wait to read it now!

Kirkie · 01-12-2009, 10:04 PM

Hi Ryan,

From what I understand the book is excellent. I only know a couple of people who keep Emys Orbicularis and I think were talking larger adults who live in outdoor ponds in the UK year round.

There is this website which has an English transation, I can't vouch for the info contained within it but its a start!

http://www.emys-home.de/

ryan · 04-12-2009, 07:18 PM

I have used the site but still looking for things like temps, substrate etc
Thanks
Just waiting on the book

Kirkie · 04-12-2009, 08:14 PM

Ryan,

This is from Russ Gurleys "Keeping & Breeding Freshwater Turtles"

European Pond Turtle

Hatchling European Pond Turtes are hardy and grow quicky. They should be set up in a 20 Gallon long aquariun (30x12x12, I think) with clean chlorine free water and live plants. We keep the water in the 76-78F range and offer them a warm basking spot with UVB emitting bulb and a 60 watt incandesent bulb in a clamp type fixture. They feed earerly on livefood such as earthworms, blackworms, mosquito larvae and guppies. Once feeding well, commercial turtle foods can be added to their diet. As they grow, European Pond Turtles become more herbivorous, so the addition of live plants becomes important.

In the main section on this species a basking spot of 90f is recommended.
I've emailed a keeper of this species to see if they can advise you.

romski · 04-12-2009, 09:05 PM

Ryan,
Ive been prompted by Kirkie to add to this thread for what its worth.
I have some European and I have Spotted hatchlings. Whilst the european turtles are a bigger animal they both share some similar qualities.

1)They are both a limited aquatic performers and both prefer the margins. Look at their feet and you will see significantly less web than on a slider or a painted. Because of that both must have edges/margins that allow them to walk out of the water. I have lost a female this year as a result of my ignorance, so lessons learned are painful. This is advice from both Andy Highfield and Elmar Meier. At Hamm speak to Frans Fruauf if he is there with his stand; he has good advice.

2) They are both, to me anyway significantly more intelligent than most other crusties. They are inquisitive, bright and territorial. When young part of their survival stategy is to split up. That is encouraged by some aggression amongst each other to keep the separation. So if you get many youngsters and keep them in a small tank expect agression and stress.

3) In September I bought a couple of young Spotteds with the same intention as yourself to home them in a pond. For now I am keeping them separate in small plastic boxes with a couple of inches of water. As you can see it does not need to be fancy.

4) Lighting is important but dont be cast under the spell of needing all the fancy paraphenalia. You can see I have a UVB light and a sunlight bulb. The sunlight bulb is far more important as they do love to bask. I have 4 tanks and every other day or so I move the UV lamp on to another tank.

5) Food is also important. If you can try and get them to eat the reptomin sticks. Then suplement this with a mixture. Slivers of salmon, crickets, woodlice are a favourite, slimp slivers, cooked chicken slivers.

6) Stress is a real issue and you will note that I also have given them plants to hide under which they do all the time.

7) When the time is right in spring I will build them a shallow pond outside.

8) I also bought a few adults emys at Hamm which are currently hibernating and I will soon be building a pond for them. I will post when I do. In the meantime look at tortoisetrust forum-- turtles --- I said I would build a pond. Something like that would suit you too.

All the best

Rom

romski · 04-12-2009, 10:31 PM

Meant to mention water temps, Im running about 23 c. Temp is cycling up and down day and night in shed.

Rom

ryan · 06-12-2009, 01:42 PM

Thanks very much for the infomation. It is extremely useful.

I do have a standby tank incase there is some aggression.

I'll be completing my tank tonight with correct water temps and more plants!

Are adults able to live together as mixed sexes?

30-11-2009, 09:06 PM	#1
ryan Junior Member Egg Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: wales Posts: 38	european pond turtle hatchling care Im getting my hatchling euro's soon and Im still struggling to find good solid info esp for hatchlings. I have a indoor aquarium set up until they go into a preformed indoor pond in spring. Im looking for water temps, a good diet and general info Thanks __________________ 1.1 T.h. hercegovinensis 2001 & 2003 0.3 T.h. boettgeri 1998 - 2003 0.1 T. marginata 2006 0.1 G. sulcata 2006 0.0.4 Emys orbicularis

01-12-2009, 08:13 PM	#3
ryan Junior Member Egg Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: wales Posts: 38	Thanks Been trying to find a copy in the UK Trying for find info on substrate too if anyone can help __________________ 1.1 T.h. hercegovinensis 2001 & 2003 0.3 T.h. boettgeri 1998 - 2003 0.1 T. marginata 2006 0.1 G. sulcata 2006 0.0.4 Emys orbicularis

01-12-2009, 08:19 PM	#4
ryan Junior Member Egg Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: wales Posts: 38	Found somewhere to buy the book. Cant wait to read it now! __________________ 1.1 T.h. hercegovinensis 2001 & 2003 0.3 T.h. boettgeri 1998 - 2003 0.1 T. marginata 2006 0.1 G. sulcata 2006 0.0.4 Emys orbicularis

04-12-2009, 07:18 PM	#6
ryan Junior Member Egg Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: wales Posts: 38	I have used the site but still looking for things like temps, substrate etc Thanks Just waiting on the book __________________ 1.1 T.h. hercegovinensis 2001 & 2003 0.3 T.h. boettgeri 1998 - 2003 0.1 T. marginata 2006 0.1 G. sulcata 2006 0.0.4 Emys orbicularis

04-12-2009, 10:31 PM	#9
romski Member Incubating Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Somerset Posts: 216	emys Meant to mention water temps, Im running about 23 c. Temp is cycling up and down day and night in shed. Rom

30-11-2009, 09:36 PM	#2
Kirkie Senior Member Adult Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,887	Buy this book for starters Ryan... European Pond Turtle, Emys orbicularis by Manfred Rogner Series: CHELONIAN LIBRARY 4 by Manfred Rogner, 270 pages, col & b/w photos, published by Edition Chimaira. They will fare perfectly well in a pond setup from next spring. I think its the best long term option by far.

01-12-2009, 10:04 PM	#5
Kirkie Senior Member Adult Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,887	Hi Ryan, From what I understand the book is excellent. I only know a couple of people who keep Emys Orbicularis and I think were talking larger adults who live in outdoor ponds in the UK year round. There is this website which has an English transation, I can't vouch for the info contained within it but its a start! http://www.emys-home.de/

04-12-2009, 08:14 PM	#7
Kirkie Senior Member Adult Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,887	Ryan, This is from Russ Gurleys "Keeping & Breeding Freshwater Turtles" European Pond Turtle Hatchling European Pond Turtes are hardy and grow quicky. They should be set up in a 20 Gallon long aquariun (30x12x12, I think) with clean chlorine free water and live plants. We keep the water in the 76-78F range and offer them a warm basking spot with UVB emitting bulb and a 60 watt incandesent bulb in a clamp type fixture. They feed earerly on livefood such as earthworms, blackworms, mosquito larvae and guppies. Once feeding well, commercial turtle foods can be added to their diet. As they grow, European Pond Turtles become more herbivorous, so the addition of live plants becomes important. In the main section on this species a basking spot of 90f is recommended. I've emailed a keeper of this species to see if they can advise you.

04-12-2009, 09:05 PM	#8
romski Member Incubating Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Somerset Posts: 216	Ryan, Ive been prompted by Kirkie to add to this thread for what its worth. I have some European and I have Spotted hatchlings. Whilst the european turtles are a bigger animal they both share some similar qualities. 1)They are both a limited aquatic performers and both prefer the margins. Look at their feet and you will see significantly less web than on a slider or a painted. Because of that both must have edges/margins that allow them to walk out of the water. I have lost a female this year as a result of my ignorance, so lessons learned are painful. This is advice from both Andy Highfield and Elmar Meier. At Hamm speak to Frans Fruauf if he is there with his stand; he has good advice. 2) They are both, to me anyway significantly more intelligent than most other crusties. They are inquisitive, bright and territorial. When young part of their survival stategy is to split up. That is encouraged by some aggression amongst each other to keep the separation. So if you get many youngsters and keep them in a small tank expect agression and stress. 3) In September I bought a couple of young Spotteds with the same intention as yourself to home them in a pond. For now I am keeping them separate in small plastic boxes with a couple of inches of water. As you can see it does not need to be fancy. 4) Lighting is important but dont be cast under the spell of needing all the fancy paraphenalia. You can see I have a UVB light and a sunlight bulb. The sunlight bulb is far more important as they do love to bask. I have 4 tanks and every other day or so I move the UV lamp on to another tank. 5) Food is also important. If you can try and get them to eat the reptomin sticks. Then suplement this with a mixture. Slivers of salmon, crickets, woodlice are a favourite, slimp slivers, cooked chicken slivers. 6) Stress is a real issue and you will note that I also have given them plants to hide under which they do all the time. 7) When the time is right in spring I will build them a shallow pond outside. 8) I also bought a few adults emys at Hamm which are currently hibernating and I will soon be building a pond for them. I will post when I do. In the meantime look at tortoisetrust forum-- turtles --- I said I would build a pond. Something like that would suit you too. All the best Rom

06-12-2009, 01:42 PM	#10
ryan Junior Member Egg Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: wales Posts: 38	Thanks very much for the infomation. It is extremely useful. I do have a standby tank incase there is some aggression. I'll be completing my tank tonight with correct water temps and more plants! Are adults able to live together as mixed sexes? __________________ 1.1 T.h. hercegovinensis 2001 & 2003 0.3 T.h. boettgeri 1998 - 2003 0.1 T. marginata 2006 0.1 G. sulcata 2006 0.0.4 Emys orbicularis

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