Asian leaf turtle (Cyclemys dentata)

Short answers

Asian leaf turtle: How big does the enclosure need to be?

A semi-aquatic aqua-terrarium from 120–150 cm with a large water and land section, shallow water.

Asian leaf turtle: What temperature does it need?

Daytime water 24–28 °C, air 26–30 °C, basking spot 32–40 °C at the basking spot, at night 22–24 °C.

Asian leaf turtle: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Yes, UVB over the basking spot (e.g. a 5.0 fluorescent tube or a mercury vapour lamp with a UV component), 12 hours a day.

Asian leaf turtle: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 20–30 years.

Asian leaf turtle: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

water 24–28 °C, air 26–30 °C

Night temperature

22–24 °C

Basking spot

32–40 °C at the basking spot

Humidity

High, 70–90 %

UVB

Yes, UVB over the basking spot (e.g. a 5.0 fluorescent tube or a mercury vapour lamp with a UV component), 12 hours a day

Enclosure

Minimum size

a semi-aquatic aqua-terrarium from 120–150 cm with a large water and land section, shallow water

Substrate

Structured shallow water; a damp land section with leaf litter

Feeding

Food

Omnivorous with a plant-based emphasis: at least half aquatic plants, greens and some fruit, plus snails, earthworms, crustaceans, fish and insects

Feeding interval

juveniles daily, adults 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

15–24 cm carapace length

Life expectancy

20–30 years

Origin

South and South-East Asia (Indochina, the Sunda Islands, the Philippines)

Protection status

CITES Appendix II – registration and proof required

Brumation

None (tropical); a slight seasonal drop is possible

Cohabitation

Solitary or pair; juveniles more aquatic, adults more terrestrial. Two males harass each other and the females; during prolonged courtship a female visibly loses weight. So a pair only works with a way to separate them — as soon as the male harasses the female, it must come out. Anyone with more space keeps one male with several females.

Notes

Semi-aquatic and a poor swimmer (especially when young) – shallow water plus exit aids. A warm, humid tropical climate; wild-caught animals are often delicate.

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Related species

• Annam leaf turtle (Mauremys annamensis) – Intermediate
• Chinese striped-neck turtle (Mauremys sinensis) – Beginner to intermediate
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• Spiny turtle (Heosemys spinosa) – Expert
• Yellow pond turtle (Mauremys mutica) – Intermediate
• Indian black turtle (Melanochelys trijuga) – Intermediate
• Japanese pond turtle (Mauremys japonica) – Intermediate
• Caspian turtle (Mauremys caspica) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Asian leaf turtle (Cyclemys dentata) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (a semi-aquatic aqua-terrarium from 120–150 cm with a large water and land section, shallow water), substrate (Structured shallow water; a damp land section with leaf litter), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.