Mediterranean pond turtle (Mauremys leprosa)

Short answers

Mediterranean pond turtle: How big does the enclosure need to be?

150×60 cm aqua-terrarium or a garden pond.

Mediterranean pond turtle: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–28 °C, basking spot 35 °C (basking spot), at night 16–20 °C.

Mediterranean pond turtle: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Mediterranean pond turtle: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 30–40 years.

Mediterranean pond turtle: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–28 °C

Night temperature

16–20 °C

Basking spot

35 °C (basking spot)

Humidity

Aquatic with a land section

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

150×60 cm aqua-terrarium or a garden pond

Substrate

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

Feeding

Food

Fish, snails, water plants, pellets

Feeding interval

3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

15–25 cm

Life expectancy

30–40 years

Origin

The Iberian Peninsula, north-western Africa

Protection status

CITES III (Morocco and Algeria); protected in Spain

Brumation

A winter rest of 10–14 weeks at 6–10 °C

Cohabitation

Keeping singly or as 1.2 (one male with several females). Two males harass each other and the females; under constant courtship a female visibly loses weight. Therefore one male to several females — and plan for the option of temporarily separating the male.

Notes

A robust Mediterranean stream turtle, easily kept in a garden pond in summer. It needs a genuine winter rest. The males can harass the females – watch that there is room to get away.

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
• Black-breasted leaf turtle (Mauremys nigricans) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

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