Yellow pond turtle (Mauremys mutica)

Short answers

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

150×60 cm aqua-terrarium.

Yellow pond turtle: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–28 °C, basking spot 35 °C (basking spot), at night 18–22 °C.

Yellow pond turtle: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 6 %).

Yellow pond turtle: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 30–40 years.

Yellow 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

18–22 °C

Basking spot

35 °C (basking spot)

Humidity

Aquatic with a land section

UVB

Essential (UVB 6 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

150×60 cm aqua-terrarium

Substrate

A water section 25–35 cm deep, a sandy bank, a basking spot

Feeding

Food

Water plants, fish, snails, pellets

Feeding interval

3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

15–20 cm

Life expectancy

30–40 years

Origin

Southern China, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam

Protection status

CITES II; severely threatened

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 quiet pond turtle, much in the water but basking at length. It needs a genuine winter rest. Wild populations badly depleted by trade and habitat loss.

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
• 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 Yellow pond turtle (Mauremys mutica) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (150×60 cm aqua-terrarium), substrate (A water section 25–35 cm deep, a sandy bank, a basking spot), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.