Interesting Facts About River Turtles

River turtles are found inhabiting freshwater environments all around the world from slow-moving rivers and streams to the calmer waters of ponds and lakes. There are numerous different species of river turtle found around the world many of which are sadly considered to be endangered species today.

The Mary River turtle is the most commonly known species of river turtle as they are the most popular freshwater turtles to keep as pets often in artificial aquariums or outside in ponds. The Mary River turtle is native to the Mary River found in Queensland, Australia and was once shipped to pet shops all over the world in the thousands as people liked them due to their small size.

The yellow-spotted river turtle is one of the largest species of river turtle found in South America. The yellow-spotted river turtle is found in the large lakes and tributaries of the Amazon Basin and are easily identified by the yellow spots (hence the name) on the side of their heads. The yellow spots of the yellow-spotted river turtle are much brighter in the younger individuals and tend to fade in brightness as the yellow-spotted river turtle matures.

There are a number of river turtle species that share the name of the giant river river turtle. With the exception of the Arrau river turtle which is a flat-shelled river turtle found in the Amazon, most of these giant river turtles are indigenous to south-east Asia. The mangrove terrapin is widely distributed across the continent but is today, critically endangered due to over-hunting and pollution. The giant Asian pond turtle is one of the largest of the river turtle species and is found inhabiting rivers and streams along with marshes and rice paddies throughout Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Burma, Thailand and Malaysia.

Generally, most species of river turtle have an omnivorous diet that is primarily made up of aquatic plants, grasses and leaves. Many river turtle species also hunt fish and molluscs in the water along with small reptiles and amphibians.

Due to the relatively large size of the river turtle and the fact that it has a hard, protective shell, there are few animals that prey upon the river turtles themselves. Humans are the main predators of both the river turtle and it's eggs which are eaten as a royal delicacy in many of the river turtle's native regions. Other animals such as foxes. dogs, snakes, birds and even wild pigs eat the precious eggs of the river turtle that are buried in the sand.

As with other turtle and tortoise species, river turtles are fairly solitary animals but females can be seen gathering together in large groups on river banks to lay their eggs. River turtles can lay between 5 and 100 soft, leathery eggs depending on the species, which are buried in the sand by the female after she has laid them. After a couple of months, the baby river turtles hatch and make straight for the water. The average lifespan of the river turtle is about 30 years.

Due to excessive hunting and rising levels of pollution in the water, river turtles are extremely vulnerable animals many of which are today considered to be endangered or critically endangered. Programmes around the world have been seen up to try and protect the river turtles mainly from poachers who hunt them for their meat and eggs.

Important Facts About Red Footed Tortoise

A red footed tortoise is a very popular pet. This tortoise is an exotic species and quite rare. Let us see how to care for this little one, its diet, habitat and some more information on these reptiles.

This species is named so, due to the red, yellow and orange scales on its limbs, head and tail. The carapace length of the red footed tortoise is 25 to 35 cms, which is approximately 10 to 14 inches. Some might also measure 40 cms, that is up to 16 inches. There is also another type of the red foot tortoise, which has a bulb-like shaped nose and it's plastron (the underside of a tortoises' shell) is a little darker. These are called the 'cherry head red footed tortoise'. These tortoises are sexually dimorphic, which means, the males are larger than the females in the weighing of the carapace as well as its length. However, their height and width is the same. The mature red-foots have longer and wider tails as compared to the females. Red footed tortoise sexing can be spotted as the plastron of the male is a moving inwards. The males weigh more, around 9 to 10 kg and the females weigh a little less than them. Read more on Russian tortoise.

Red Footed Tortoise Habitat

A native of South America, the red footed tortoise is a rare species, also found in Panama, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Venezuela, etc. Some of these have also been introduced to West Indies. The red footed tortoises are found in all types of habitats such as the rain forests, dry thorny forests, forests having temperate climatic conditions. They are also occupy the savanna areas, which are, grasslands, compromising of man-made grasslands too. Some are of the opinion that these red footed reptiles prefer grasslands and dry forests, as compared to rain forests.

Red Footed Tortoise Care

Red foot tortoise are very cute pets and are also very friendly. Before adopting a red footed tortoise, the 'to be' pet owner must try to gain some valuable knowledgeable into the animals care and concern. As it is an endangered species, according to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) , this species cannot be exported from its hometown without a permit. One should also be aware of the laws regarding petting of the red footed tortoise. In case of any emergency a vet, who has an experience in treating exotic species of animals including red footed tortoise or any other tortoises, should be at an easy reach. These animals should be kept in clean water tank if at home. The water tank should be cleaned once a week.

Red Footed Tortoise DietThese cute little shelled red-foots are omnivorous, that is, they eat both, plants as well as animals. Red footed tortoise diet consists of greens, vegetables that are high in calcium, fruits, flowers and a good amount of protein. Calcium greens such as lettuce leaves, hibiscus leaves, turnip greens, grape leaves, collard greens, etc. is included in their diets. Spinach and kale should be fed in deficient amount. Flowers such as hibiscus, nasturtium flowers, prickly-pear flowers, dandelions, etc. can be fed to the red-foots, as these flowers are edible. Fruits such as mangoes, kiwis, plums, pineapples, peaches, strawberries, cantaloupes, melons can be fed to them. One should not feed banana often, maybe once or twice in a month if at all you do. But not recommended. They also eat dead and rotting bodies of animals such as snails, earthworms and other insects.

Red Footed Tortoise Breeding

The red footed tortoise breeding starts when they are 6 to 8 inches long. A mature red foot male is productive in warm and humid areas all throughout the year. A healthy pair of red footed tortoises are able to produce 2 to 4 clutches having 3 to 5 eggs every season. But this also depends up on the size of the female red footed tortoise. A protein rich and calcium rich diet of the females can produce healthy eggs. The red footed tortoises' young ones hatch in temperatures between 82 to 85 degree F.

These are some of the red footed tortoise facts. Having these tortoises as pets is real fun and its amusing to watch them. I hope this article has provided you with enough information regarding the red-foots and has helped you in making your mind up, in adopting one!

Desert Tortoise:The Habitat And Food

Desert tortoise is one of the four prominent species of tortoises found in North America. It inhabits only the deserts of Mojave and Sonoran, in Southwestern U.S. To know more about the food and habitat of desert tortoise, read on...

Desert tortoise is a large, herbivorous reptile. It is found in the deserts of southwestern U.S. and Mexico. Texas, Gopher and Bolson are the other species of tortoise found in North America. Earlier, large numbers of desert tortoise were seen in the deserts, but, now their number has reduced considerably. The desert tortoise is now amongst Earth's endangered species.

The desert tortoise can grow up to 10-14 inches. The largest known desert tortoise is 15 inches in length. Its shell is dome-shaped and of dark brown or greenish shade. The front limbs have claw-like features to dig. Both, male and female desert tortoises have a characteristic gular horn. The horn of the female tortoise is shorter than that of the male. This helps to differentiate between a male and a female desert tortoise. The desert tortoise mates in fall and spring. The female lays 3-5 eggs. Badgers, roadrunners, coyotes and ravens are the prominent predators of the desert tortoise.

Desert Tortoise: Food

Tortoises are herbivores. The desert tortoise mostly thrives on grass, wildflowers and new-growths of different cacti. Its food preferences depend on the availability of plants. It mostly consume herbaceous perennial plants. The species of wildflowers consumed by the desert tortoise is coreopsis, phaselis, spurge, lupines, forget-me-not and lotus. The desert tortoise finds a variety of plants to eat, if there is a good rainfall. However, in dry seasons, it feeds on dry plants.
The desert tortoise drinks water collected in pools and ponds.

Its water intake is also through the moisture found in grass and wildflowers. It makes use of its claws to dig, while searching for water. The desert tortoise also has a characteristic feature of storing water in its body. Whenever it finds water, it drinks it excessively. The amount of water stored in the bladder of the desert tortoise can be equal to 40% of its body weight. The adult tortoise can survive for nearly one year without water. When there is scarcity of water, the desert tortoise excrete only solid waste. Hence, storing the water in its body.

Desert Tortoise: Habitat

The desert tortoise can live in very hot regions having temperatures up to 140 degrees F (i.e. 60 degrees C). It digs burrows and lives underground to escape the heat. Its burrows can be 2-10 ft deep. The size of the burrow depends on the type of soil, age of the tortoise and the purpose it serves. A burrow protects the desert tortoise from extreme heat and cold as well as predators. The burrow of the female tortoise may also contain nests. The nests can be at the mouth of the burrow or deep inside. The desert tortoise also build temporary burrows that are smaller in size at the time of foraging.

The desert tortoise is inactive for the most part of the year. It remains in the burrow in the month of May to avoid heat. As the temperature rises, all the flora of the desert gets dried up. October to February is the hibernation period of this species of tortoise. It can be seen frequently only in spring. Many of them are seen early in the mornings and late in the afternoons, during spring. The desert tortoise is also active in the summer rains. At this time, it ventures out of its burrows.

It is illegal to hunt, harm or collect the desert tortoise. It has been declared as a vulnerable (threatened) species. Therefore, it is the duty of every human to protect the rare desert tortoise.