Black-breasted leaf turtle (Mauremys nigricans)

Short answers

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

150×60 cm aqua-terrarium.

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

Daytime 24–29 °C, basking spot 33 °C, at night 19–23 °C.

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

UVB: Essential (UVB 6 %).

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

24–29 °C

Night temperature

19–23 °C

Basking spot

33 °C

Humidity

Aquatic with a land section

UVB

Essential (UVB 6 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

150×60 cm aqua-terrarium

Substrate

A water section 25–40 cm deep, a sandy bank, a basking spot

Feeding

Food

Fish, snails, water plants, pellets

Feeding interval

3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

20–30 cm

Life expectancy

30–40 years

Origin

Southern China, northern Vietnam

Protection status

CITES II; IUCN "Critically Endangered"

Brumation

A cooler spell of 8–10 weeks

Cohabitation

Keep singly; males are highly intolerant of each other. The reason is territory: males ram and bite each other, and females are harassed under constant courtship until they visibly lose weight. Worn shell edges and bites on the hind legs are what eventually shows up at the vet.

Notes

In the mating season the males develop brilliant red areas on the head. Very aggressive towards each other – bite injuries on the tail and legs are common, so keep them singly.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Annam leaf turtle (Mauremys annamensis) – Intermediate
• Balkan terrapin (Mauremys rivulata) – Intermediate
• Chinese striped-neck turtle (Mauremys sinensis) – Beginner to intermediate
• Reeves' turtle (Mauremys reevesii) – Beginner
• Yellow pond turtle (Mauremys mutica) – Intermediate
• Japanese pond turtle (Mauremys japonica) – Intermediate
• Caspian turtle (Mauremys caspica) – Beginner
• Mediterranean pond turtle (Mauremys leprosa) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Black-breasted leaf turtle (Mauremys nigricans) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (150×60 cm aqua-terrarium), substrate (A water section 25–40 cm deep, a sandy bank, a basking spot), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.