Reeves' turtle (Mauremys reevesii)

Short answers

Reeves' turtle: How big does the enclosure need to be?

An aqua-terrarium from 120–150 cm on a side for one adult animal, water at least 30 cm deep, a dry land section for basking.

Reeves' turtle: What temperature does it need?

Daytime water 22–26 °C (summer 25–28 °C, spring/autumn 20–24 °C), basking spot Land section / basking spot 35–40 °C, at night slight drop to ~18–20 °C.

Reeves' turtle: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed above the land section (Ferguson zone 2–3).

Reeves' turtle: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 20–30+ years.

Reeves' turtle: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

water 22–26 °C (summer 25–28 °C, spring/autumn 20–24 °C)

Night temperature

slight drop to ~18–20 °C

Basking spot

Land section / basking spot 35–40 °C

Humidity

— (aqua-terrarium: water section plus a dry land section)

UVB

UVB needed above the land section (Ferguson zone 2–3)

Enclosure

Minimum size

an aqua-terrarium from 120–150 cm on a side for one adult animal, water at least 30 cm deep, a dry land section for basking

Substrate

Fine sand or bare-bottomed; strong filtration, clean water

Feeding

Food

Carnivorous to omnivorous: aquatic insects, snails, fish, prawns, water plants, high-quality pellet food

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

males 12–15 cm, females 18–22 cm

Life expectancy

20–30+ years

Origin

East Asia (China, Korea, Japan) – temperate waters

Protection status

CITES Appendix III, EU Regulation Annex C; within the EU no registration or paperwork is needed (Annex C)

Brumation

A winter rest or brumation is typical of the species: reduced activity or overwintering at ~10–15 °C water, for ~2–3 months

Cohabitation

Group keeping is possible given enough space and filtration; the males can harass or bite the females → do not overstock, and offer retreat and visual structures

Notes

Considered a good beginner's aquatic turtle. In need of basking → a good dry land section with a heat lamp and UVB matters. Clean water and good filtration are essential.

Do you keep this species?

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Look for Reeves' turtle (Mauremys reevesii) in the marketplace →

Related species

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

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Reeves' turtle (Mauremys reevesii) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (an aqua-terrarium from 120–150 cm on a side for one adult animal, water at least 30 cm deep, a dry land section for basking), substrate (Fine sand or bare-bottomed; strong filtration, clean 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.