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Husbandry |
Indoor/Outdoor Enclosures The following guidelines can be used for both indoor and outdoor housing of adults and juveniles. Temperatures: Water temperature: 26 °C - 28 °C (80-83 °F) Basking temperature: 32 °C - 35 °C (90-95 °F) Enclosure (Adult & subadult): Although they inhabit relatively deep bodies of water Pelomedusa lack the large webbed hind feet observed in the pond turtles. Instead, Pelomedusa prefer to walk about the bottom of the water area and are best maintained in enclosures with a water depth no greater than 1.5 times the length of the carapace, such that they can easily reach the surface while standing on the bottom of the water area. Should the water depth be greater than 1.5 times the SCL shallow water resting areas need to be provided to avoid fatigue and accidental drowning. Enclosures can be relatively simple and bare or can be more elaborate. It should be noted that Pelomedusa do spend prolonged periods of time dug into the land area of the enclosure and drag a considerable amount of sand/soil back into the water. The filter should be setup in such a way to reduce the risk of sand being drawn into the impeller and causing physical damage to the pump. Pelomedusa are very shy baskers and you may not catch them in the act. UV-B light and basking areas should be provided at one end of the enclosure as well as sufficient hiding areas and visual barriers to avoid aggression if kept in groups. Basking preference varies by individual as well as the origin (if wild caught) as Pelomedusa from tropical regions tend not to bask as much as those from subtropical regions. If you intend to breed Pelomedusa an estivation period should be considered and a nesting area must be provided for the females. Pelomedusa will dig quite deep to conceal their eggs and therefore the substrate should be 1.5 times the SCL of the largest female to provide sufficient depth. A mixture of 2:1 peat to sand has proven acceptable for my female P. subrufa. |
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DIY - Plywood / EPMD Pondliner Tanks, Ponds, Incubators, and Filters Custom built plywood tanks, ponds, filters, incubators, and even homemade turtle food can save you big money if you are willing to put in the time and effort. Check out the DIY sections for step by step instructions for "how to" build custom accommodations for your turtles & tortoises. |
Below is the 18 gal. nesting box leading out of a 90 gallon breeding tank. Substrate is 22 cm deep. |
A 30 gallon nesting tank houses one or two gravid females during the nesting season. Substrate is 22 cm deep. |
A 30 gallon with a nesting area that is too shallow (10 cm); all eggs were laid in the water. |
Hind foot of adult (left) and yearling (above). |
NOTE: Pelomedusa are aggressive towards other turtles and should not be housed with any other species as they will attack and injure or kill other turtles. Likewise housing of different sized individuals is not recommended nor should two males be placed together as they will fight. |
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