Bog turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii)

Short answers

Bog turtle: How big does the enclosure need to be?

120×60 cm marsh enclosure.

Bog turtle: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 18–26 °C, basking spot 32 °C, at night 12–17 °C.

Bog turtle: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Bog turtle: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 40–60 years.

Bog turtle: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

18–26 °C

Night temperature

12–17 °C

Basking spot

32 °C

Humidity

Semi-aquatic, marshy

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

120×60 cm marsh enclosure

Substrate

A shallow water section (5–15 cm), sphagnum, sedges, a damp land section

Feeding

Food

Snails, earthworms, insects, a little greenery

Feeding interval

3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

8–11 cm

Life expectancy

40–60 years

Origin

The eastern USA – limestone swamps

Protection status

CITES I / EU Annex A – sale only with a valid EU commercial-use certificate; strictly protected in the USA

Brumation

A winter rest of 12–16 weeks at 4–8 °C

Cohabitation

Keeping singly is the least stressful solution. Pairs only if you can remove the male as soon as he harasses the female - a second enclosure is part of the planning. Two males harass each other and the females; with more space, put one male with several females so that courtship is spread out.

Notes

North America's smallest turtle, an inhabitant of shallow limestone fens – not deep water. Annex A: without yellow CITES papers any sale is prohibited. It needs a genuine, cold winter rest.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Bog turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) – Intermediate
• Balkan terrapin (Mauremys rivulata) – Intermediate
• Diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) – Intermediate
• European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) – Intermediate
• Ligurian pond turtle (Emys orbicularis galloitalica) – Intermediate
• Mediterranean pond turtle (Mauremys leprosa) – Intermediate
• Sicilian pond turtle (Emys trinacris) – Intermediate
• Spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Bog turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (120×60 cm marsh enclosure), substrate (A shallow water section (5–15 cm), sphagnum, sedges, a damp land section), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.