Origin
Originally from North America, more specifically from subtropical regions, it is now increasingly widespread in the world.
In the natural environment, they are spread especially in areas furrowed by slow-moving, shallower watercourses or in flooded lands for much of the year, malastinous areas, natural or artificial aquatic basins, ponds and lakes that benefit from a rich micro and macrophytic vegetation.
During the active period, it is distinguished by a predilect tendency to sunshine and rest, which it spends on top of rocks, on toppled woody vegetation, slopes, Sandbanks or other higher areas.
It is also known by the following names: Florida turtle, Red eared slider turtle, Chrysemys scripta elegan
Feeding the red-bellied turtle
Carnivora par excellence in the early stages of life, feeds on aquatic or terrestrial fauna, then becomes omnivorous at adult age, feeding on both plant and animal components.
Features red-bellied turtle
It is a medium-sized species, as an adult having a length of 20-25 cm. and a weight of 1.5-2 Kg. Often it is appreciated as a dwarf species considering that at birth it measures only 3-4 cm and weight of 10g, and at the youth phase it keeps relatively small dimensions.
In youth, the exterior coloration is very intense, with green dorsal part, furrowed by yellow, green and black lines that extend to the neck, head and limbs.
On each side of the body, in the posterior area of the eye there is a red spot, hence the name turtle with red temples. Sometimes a sibtire stripe of red color, more or less intense, can be observed on the surface of the head.
As they age, the red-headed turtle darkens in color, reaching maturity to a shade of brown green, with purple reflexes, somewhat more pronounced in males.
The yellow lines are less obvious and contoured, and the post ocular areas have a less sensitive red coloration. With age you can also see a relatively exaggerated increase of Claws, which is an indication in the appreciation of age.
Breeding red-bellied turtle
Red-headed turtles are increasingly sought after by amateurs, exporting from America over 5 million heads annually, especially to Europe and the Far East. Moreover, in some countries they began to acclimatize even in the natural environment of adoption.
Often, the mating ritual is quite violent (bites, "runs", clashes) and can take place over several days. Studies have shown that specimens reproduce better if, outside the mating season, they are hosted separately, by sex.
The female red-headed turtle reaches sexual maturity around the age of 5-7 years, when its shell measures about 15-20cm in diameter. A sexually receptive female will usually accept any male.
When the male approaches her, the female will swim towards him and accept his advances, touching his front paws with her claws. If not willing to mate the female may withdraw from the male or even attack and bite him.
The male reaches sexual maturity around the age of 3-5 years, when his shell measures about 10-12cm in diameter. The male's nuptial dance is quite elaborate and interesting to watch. He will swim towards the female, and if the female is receptive, he will begin to vibrate his front paws, "stroking" her head and neck with his claws.
Attention! This behavior can be manifested by both sexes, outside the mating season, as an expression of dominance! Returning to the bridal dance, eventually, the male will swim in a circle around the female, bite her neck or "scratch" her shell with his claws.
Sometimes the female will swim forward encouraging the male to repeat the nuptial dance. When the female is ready to mate she will drop to the bottom and the male will follow her. With the help of its long claws, the male will position himself over the female and curl his tail around her tail, adopting an almost vertical position.
The nuptial dance generally lasts 40-45 minutes, and the actual mating lasts about 10-15 minutes. If the female is not receptive, break up the pair and try again in 2-3 days.
