Black-breasted leaf turtle (Geoemyda spengleri)

Short answers

Black-breasted leaf turtle: How big does the enclosure need to be?

100×50 cm aqua-terrarium with a large land section.

Black-breasted leaf turtle: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–26 °C (COOL), basking spot 28 °C (small), at night 15–19 °C.

Black-breasted leaf turtle: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 5.0).

Black-breasted leaf turtle: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 30–40 years.

Black-breasted leaf turtle: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–26 °C (COOL)

Night temperature

15–19 °C

Basking spot

28 °C (small)

Humidity

80–90 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 5.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

100×50 cm aqua-terrarium with a large land section

Substrate

Damp forest floor with a thick layer of leaf litter, shallow water

Feeding

Food

Snails, earthworms, insects, a little fruit

Feeding interval

3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

10–13 cm (very small)

Life expectancy

30–40 years

Origin

Southern China, northern Vietnam – montane forest

Protection status

CITES II; severely threatened

Brumation

A cool rest period of 8–12 weeks at 10–14 °C

Cohabitation

Keeping singly, or a pair if the male can be removed as soon as it harasses the female - a second enclosure should be planned for. Those with more space keep one male with several females, spreading out the courtship pressure.

Notes

A tiny, cool-living forest turtle – not a water dweller but a leaf-litter species. Warmth above 27 °C is tolerated poorly. Mainly carnivorous.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Black-breasted leaf turtle (Geoemyda spengleri) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Annam leaf turtle (Mauremys annamensis) – Intermediate
• Asian leaf turtle (Cyclemys dentata) – Intermediate
• Chinese striped-neck turtle (Mauremys sinensis) – Beginner to intermediate
• Reeves' turtle (Mauremys reevesii) – Beginner
• Spiny turtle (Heosemys spinosa) – Expert
• Yellow pond turtle (Mauremys mutica) – Intermediate
• Indian black turtle (Melanochelys trijuga) – Intermediate
• Japanese pond turtle (Mauremys japonica) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Black-breasted leaf turtle (Geoemyda spengleri) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×50 cm aqua-terrarium with a large land section), substrate (Damp forest floor with a thick layer of leaf litter, shallow water), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.