Sicilian pond turtle (Emys trinacris)

Short answers

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

~100–120×50×50 cm aqua-terrarium with a basking spot plus a sandy land section for egg-laying.

Sicilian pond turtle: What temperature does it need?

Daytime water 22–26 °C (summer), basking spot 30–35 °C, at night 18–20 °C.

Sicilian pond turtle: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 2–4).

Sicilian pond turtle: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 40–60+ years (long-lived, comparable to Emys orbicularis).

Sicilian pond turtle: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

water 22–26 °C (summer)

Night temperature

18–20 °C

Basking spot

30–35 °C

Humidity

— (aquatic)

UVB

UVB needed (Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 2–4)

Enclosure

Minimum size

~100–120×50×50 cm aqua-terrarium with a basking spot plus a sandy land section for egg-laying

Substrate

Sand or fine gravel, planted; a land section with sand for egg-laying

Feeding

Food

Mainly carnivorous: insects, worms, snails, fish, tadpoles; a few water plants

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles more often

Key facts

Adult size

~14–17 cm shell length (females larger)

Life expectancy

40–60+ years (long-lived, comparable to Emys orbicularis)

Origin

Endemic to Sicily (ponds, lakes, slow rivers, marshes)

Protection status

Strictly protected: endemic to Sicily; Bern Convention; protected under Italian and EU law (as for Emys orbicularis, Habitats Directive Ann. II/IV). Taking from the wild is prohibited – only captive-bred animals with proof.

Brumation

Yes – brumation from about October or November to March at ~4–8 °C (Mediterranean, up to six months).

Cohabitation

Keep them singly, or a group of females in a large enclosure; territorial, and the males are aggressive and harass the females – never two males.

Notes

Split off as a species of its own in 2005; the care is derived from Emys orbicularis (barely any species-specific data). An endemic with a high need for protection, and illegal wild collection is a problem. The temperature figures are set conservatively at Mediterranean levels.

Do you keep this species?

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Look for Sicilian pond turtle (Emys trinacris) in the marketplace →

Related species

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

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Sicilian pond turtle (Emys trinacris) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (~100–120×50×50 cm aqua-terrarium with a basking spot plus a sandy land section for egg-laying), substrate (Sand or fine gravel, planted; a land section with sand for egg-laying), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.