Gibba turtle (Mesoclemmys gibba)

Short answers

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

120×50 cm aquarium.

Gibba turtle: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–30 °C, basking spot No basking spot needed, at night 22–25 °C.

Gibba turtle: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (UVB 5.0).

Gibba turtle: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 25–40 years.

Gibba turtle: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–30 °C

Night temperature

22–25 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot needed

Humidity

Aquatic, shallow

UVB

Recommended (UVB 5.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

120×50 cm aquarium

Substrate

Water 15–25 cm deep, leaf litter, roots, subdued light

Feeding

Food

Fish, insects, earthworms, crustaceans

Feeding interval

3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

15–23 cm

Life expectancy

25–40 years

Origin

The Amazon and Orinoco basins – forest pools

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Keep singly or as a pair. In related Mesoclemmys species males are pushy towards females during courtship, so a pair only works if the male can be removed once he starts harassing the female — a second tank should be part of the plan. With more space, one male to several females spreads the courtship pressure.

Notes

An inhabitant of shady forest pools – shallow, humic water with leaves rather than a bright clear-water tank. It hardly basks, and a strong basking spot is not needed. Very quiet and shy.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• African helmeted turtle (Pelomedusa subrufa) – Beginner to intermediate
• Argentine snake-necked turtle (Hydromedusa tectifera) – Intermediate
• Eastern long-necked turtle (Chelodina longicollis) – Intermediate
• Matamata (Chelus fimbriata) – Expert
• Hilaire's toadhead turtle (Phrynops hilarii) – Intermediate
• Murray River turtle (Emydura macquarii) – Intermediate
• Northern snake-necked turtle (Chelodina rugosa) – Intermediate
• Reimann's snake-necked turtle (Chelodina reimanni) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Gibba turtle (Mesoclemmys gibba) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (120×50 cm aquarium), substrate (Water 15–25 cm deep, leaf litter, roots, subdued light), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.