Mediterranean turtle keeping at home. Mediterranean turtle. Necessary and additional security measures
Testudo graeca (Linnaeus, 1758)
MEDITERRANEAN (GREEK) TURTLE
General information.
Mediterranean tortoises (Testudo graeca) have been the most popular pet tortoise in Europe for many years (photo). They were so popular that they even received the name “common turtle.” In fact, very little is known about this animal, and especially little is known about their natural lifestyle. These turtles live mainly in North Africa, with small populations also in southern Spain and the Balearic Islands. Mediterranean tortoises prefer to live in wooded areas, which are now almost destroyed as a result of human agricultural activities - forests are burned and the land is used for pasture.
Taxonomy.
The taxonomy of the Mediterranean tortoise (Testudo graeca) is very confusing and contradictory. Currently, four main subspecies are recognized: the Mediterranean tortoise proper (Testudo dgaes dgaes) from northern Africa and Spain; Turkish Mediterranean tortoise (Testudo graeca ibera) from Turkey, Greece and surrounding regions; the almost unknown Iranian Mediterranean tortoise (Testudo graeca zarudnyi) from the eastern sector of the central plateau of Iran (and possibly Afghanistan); and the enigmatic tortoise subspecies Testudo graeca terrestris, possibly found in Libya, Israel, Syria and southwestern Turkey.
In addition, on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus there lives an isolated population of Testudo graeca, which, based on morphometric and territorial characteristics, was described by Chikvadze and Tuniev as an independent subspecies - Testudo graeca nikolskii (1986). This taxonomy is not recognized by all authors, however, such a name may appear in the literature. It is turtles from this subspecies of the Mediterranean tortoise that can most often be found in our country as pets, moreover, this is the only land tortoise that lives on the territory of the Russian Federation.
The taxonomy scheme for the four main subspecies of Mediterranean tortoises was based primarily on the work of R. Mertens, who revised this species complex in 1946, with additional changes to the taxonomy introduced by H. Wermuth in 1958.
Unfortunately, there are serious shortcomings in Mertens's comparative morphometric data; he apparently did not pay attention to a series of morphological features that indicate not only that there may be more than four clearly defined subspecies, but also that the relationships between existing subspecies very doubtful.
Moreover, the status of one "generally accepted" subspecies, Testudo graeca terrestris, is more than questionable. It was not reliably described at a later time, its description and distribution are extremely unreliable. It often seems that almost any turtle of the genus Testudo that is yellowish in color, no matter where it is found, can claim membership in this subspecies.
In 1990, the presented author proposed a revised taxonomy of the Mediterranean tortoise (Testudo graeca). This scheme suggests that the Turkish Mediterranean tortoise (Testudo ibera) and the Iranian Mediterranean tortoise (Testudo zarudnyi) return to full species status, and that the cryptic subspecies Testudo graeca terrestris should be excluded from the taxonomy entirely for the reasons stated above.
North Africa has a very large diversity of populations, and some of them certainly deserve special attention from a systematic point of view. Indeed, one population from Algeria had already been described in 1836 as a separate species of the Algerian tortoise (Testudo whitei).
Another population from Tunisia, which is characterized by large morphological differences from the common Mediterranean tortoise (T. graeca), was generally identified separately as the Tunisian tortoise (Furcuiachelys nabeulensis) by Mertens in 1990.
The new genus name Furcuiachelys was proposed because some bone structure features of the Algerian and Tunisian populations do not meet the accepted criteria for the genus Testudo. In fact, they are halfway between Testudo and Geochelone. Their status within the genus is one issue, but another, more important issue is the status that defines the species.
Recent DNA identification studies may provide new impetus to the taxonomy of reptiles and, in particular, the taxonomy of turtles.
Mediterranean turtle on video.
Description.
The Mediterranean tortoise proper, living in southern Algeria and Morocco (Testudo graeca graeca), is a relatively small tortoise, as small as the Tunisian tortoise (F. nabeulensis), but the true Mediterranean tortoise differs from it in osteological characteristics, as well as by morphology and color. The length of the male Mediterranean tortoise's shell is usually about 145 mm (average 130 mm) and they weigh about 535 g. Females are much larger, and their sizes vary greatly; Normally, the size of the shell in females is 180 mm, and the weight is about 1300 g. The maximum size for turtles from Morocco is 220 mm.
In central Algeria, females reach sizes of 280 mm; very large turtles, measuring 300 mm, are also quite common. In 1836, these particular Algerian tortoises were described as Testudo whitei. Algerian tortoises can reach a body weight of 4.8 kg. Their carapace is much more elongated, and often, especially in males, the posterior scutes are convex, like those of the scalloped turtle (Testudo marginata).
The main color of the scutes of the Mediterranean turtle (Testudo graeca graeca) is bright yellow with small black or dark brown spots. Each large plate has a dark spot in the center. The scales on the head and legs are yellow. The central vertebral scute is rounded in shape, but may be depressed. The posterior scutes are not very shiny and not serrated even in males. There are small spines or projections on the upper thighs and near the tail.
The Moroccan subspecies (G. d. graeca) varies greatly in appearance - depending on the region. In the south, the coloring of these turtles is often lighter; males have an elongated body shape. In the north, especially in mountainous areas, their color can be dark, almost black, and they are much larger everywhere. Many turtles from southern Morocco have a reddish tint to their skin, head, tail and hind legs - this is due to the type of soil in which they live. The carapace is usually a light matte brown color with a few clearly visible markings.
Conditions of detention.
Like all other North African species, Mediterranean turtles (T. graeca) are very sensitive to environmental conditions and react negatively to the slightest maintenance errors. Despite the popularity of these turtles, they survive in captivity with difficulty, and only a few individuals do not die for a long time. Shared housing with more aggressive, competitive and hardy species, such as, for example, the Balkan tortoise (T. hermanni) or the Turkish tortoise (T. ibera), leads to infection with foreign bacteria and viruses, as well as to stress, so it is recommended to always keep them separately.
Maximum activity in Mediterranean turtles (T. graeca) is observed at temperatures above 28°C. In nature, when it becomes too hot and dry, they hibernate during the summer, burrowing into the ground. The coldest months for them are January and February, when temperatures drop below 20°C. In December in Morocco, temperatures often rise above 2°C, and therefore in North Africa, even at Christmas, you can see grazing turtles showing noticeable activity.
Populations living at high altitudes are more likely than others to hibernate, but for a very short period of time. In northern Morocco, temperatures differ greatly from those in the south, and the northern population of Mediterranean tortoises (T. g. graeca), especially those at higher altitudes, hibernate for as long as five months.
In captivity, they can be kept in approximately the same conditions as Central Asian tortoises (Agrionemys horsfieldi).
Diet.
Same as for Turkish Mediterranean tortoises (T. ibera), scalloped tortoises (T. marginata) and Balkan tortoises (T. hermanni) - mostly flowers and greenery.
Mediterranean tortoises are coprophagous to a greater or lesser extent, eating the feces of mammals, in North Africa it is mainly the feces of sheep, goats and camels. This is probably important for the course of biochemical processes and for digestion, but so far the phenomenon of coprophagy in Mediterranean turtles has been very poorly studied. Analysis of the feces of the turtles themselves, carried out in Southern Morocco, showed the presence of a large number of snail shells. In captivity, like other turtles, they need constant supplementation with special calcium supplements.
Major diseases
All Mediterranean turtles are characterized by rhinitis, pneumonia, stomatitis, and infestation by flagellated protozoa. It is advisable to keep these turtles separate from other species, subspecies, or even animals from other geographic regions. The possibility of disease increases greatly in mixed groups.
Reproduction.
Unlike Balkan (T. hermanni), scalloped (T. marginata) or Turkish Mediterranean tortoises (T. ibera), North African Mediterranean tortoises (T graeca) generally breed very rarely in captivity. In addition, there is very little data on the biology and natural behavior of their reproduction in nature. However, several times they were still able to reproduce in captivity.
Their eggs are smaller and rounder than those of Turkish Mediterranean turtles (T. ibera), usually about 30 mm long and 27 mm wide. Newborns weigh very little, 7 - 8 g, their size is about 28 mm. Typical clutch size is 4 - 5 eggs. Incubation is best carried out at a temperature between 30.5°C and 31.5°C with medium humidity (about 75%). At these temperatures, incubation times range between 68 and 80 days. The babies first break through the shell, and then, once their need for oxygen is satisfied, they can spend up to 72 hours in the egg until the yolk sac is completely absorbed.
Newborns are brownish-yellow in color, without any distinctive pattern. The pattern appears as it grows. Young turtles begin eating after about 48 hours. At one year of age, they reach almost half the size of an adult turtle. At first, it is better to keep young animals in nurseries with all the necessary conditions. If the weather permits, they can be taken outside.
Some people prefer to keep exotic animals at home, and very often their choice falls on land turtles.
Several species of such turtles are kept in apartment conditions.
There are about forty species of land turtles, but, naturally, not all are suitable for home keeping. The most common types are the following.
Central Asian (steppe) tortoise
The most popular type kept at home.In nature, the steppe tortoise is found in Central Asia, China, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. It mainly lives on sandy lands, but can also live on loamy soils. Most often, they choose hilly and rocky areas with access to water and green grass as their place of residence. The Central Asian tortoise digs holes on its own or occupies others.
Steppe turtles can grow up to twenty-five centimeters in length. The carapace, that is, the upper part of the shell, can be green or delicate greenish-brown interspersed with darkish streaks. The paws with four toes and the head are a pleasant yellowish-brown color.
These turtles are shown in the video
Mediterranean turtle
There is approximately twenty subspecies of Mediterranean turtles, distributed in different parts of the world. Most often they are found in southern Europe, North Africa, on the Black Sea coast in the Caucasus, in Armenia, Georgia and Dagestan.
Mediterranean turtles love warm climates and plenty of sunlight.They come in different sizes and colors. The maximum size of the shell is thirty-five centimeters. Basically, turtles of this species are gray-yellow in color with dark spots. There are spurs on the hind legs, and a horny tubercle on the hips. There are five toes on the front paws.
Detailed video about such turtles
Star turtle
Turtles of this species are small in size.There is a peculiar pattern on the shell, due to which the turtle received its name. Females boast the presence of particularly bright yellow stars on their carapace with eight rays extending down their sides. Females grow much larger than males; the difference in the length of their shells can reach fifteen centimeters. Star turtles can easily do without swimming.
Video about such turtles
Egyptian tortoise
In the wild, Egyptian turtles live on the coasts of Libya, Israel and Egypt. They grow very small - up to twelve centimeters in length. The turtle is yellowish in color with a dark border on the scutes. There are no spurs on the hind legs.
The behavior of the Egyptian tortoise shows a very peculiar and extraordinary ability to instantly bury itself in the sand when a threat occurs.This turtle is shown in the video
The habitat in nature is Southern Europe, in particular the Mediterranean coast. Balkan turtles are very similar in appearance to Mediterranean turtles, but differ in their small size. The brown shell has dark streaks. The brightness of the color depends on age - in young turtles it is more saturated. The tip of the tail ends in a conical spike.
Sex differences
Males have a longer tail than females, but females are usually much larger than males. Males of many species have a significantly concave plastron.
Many people get turtles thinking that they require little to no care.Similar opinion wrong. Absolutely any animal needs care, and it must be correct, because proper care is the key to a happy life for a pet. Before buying a turtle, you should study all the nuances regarding creating the necessary conditions for it. Arranging a comfortable living environment must be approached with the utmost seriousness, because the turtle will spend its entire life in your home. You should not completely shift the care process to your children, trying to develop a sense of responsibility in them. Still, a living creature is not a suitable object for experimentation. The child may forget to feed the animal or observe other nuances. If you entrust the care of a turtle to a child, then you definitely need to supervise him.
Arrangement of residence
A huge mistake of many owners is the belief that the best condition for keeping land turtles is to roam freely around the floor of the entire apartment.It is strictly forbidden to allow a turtle to crawl around the house unattended. Firstly, a pet can easily catch a cold by constantly being on the floor where there are dangerous drafts; contract infections and various diseases. He is capable of crawling into the most unimaginable nooks and crannies of the apartment, getting stuck and dying of hunger if the owners do not remember about the pet in time. In addition, members of the household can easily crush the turtle. Under no circumstances should an animal be exposed to such danger. The turtle must be kept in a terrarium.
The terrarium must be located at least twenty centimeters from the floor to avoid drafts affecting the pet. The approximate dimensions of the terrarium, which, among other things, must be horizontal: 60 x 130 centimeters, but the larger the better. Housing for turtles should be fairly free, because they move very quickly, despite the common stereotype about their slowness.
Some owners create a real paradise for their turtles in the summer months: they build special enclosures on the street or on the balcony.
If you decide to build a pen on the balcony, then you need to follow some rules:
- the balcony should not have cracks in the floor into which the pet could fall, and it should also not be glazed, otherwise the turtle will die in the wild heat;
- the aviary must be protected from birds, drafts and cold winds;
- It is imperative to place houses in which the turtles could hide, and also to provide access to direct sunlight (another argument in favor of the fact that the balcony should not be glazed, because glass does not conduct ultraviolet rays).
You can use the fenced space of the balcony as an enclosure. The height of the fence should be four times the size of the turtle and be absolutely smooth, without gaps or protrusions that would allow the pet to escape from the enclosure.
The enclosure should be placed outdoors away from growing poisonous and harmful plants. The height of the fence should be high enough to prevent escape. The enclosure should be large: two by two meters.
An additional security measure will be a kind of bend of the fence inward. The walls of the enclosure should be dug very deep into the ground, because the turtles can dig under the ground at any moment.
The fence should be smooth, opaque, insurmountable, and not arouse the turtles’ desire to climb on it. It can be made from concrete slabs, boards, beams, stones and reinforced glass.
An excellent option for protecting turtles from birds, dogs and cats is a net stretched over the top. The enclosure should have a kind of slope where rainwater will flow.
Inside, the pen can be planted with useful plants: mint, clover, quinoa, dandelions, thyme and juniper. Turtles mainly dig in corners, so large rocks can be placed there. If you prepare a hole for your pet in advance, in which he can hide from temperature changes, this will help reduce his desire to dig in the ground.
Priming
The presence of soil is required in the terrarium.You can use sawdust or hay in combination with flat stones and pebbles, the size of which exceeds the circumference of the turtle's head. Sawdust is less preferable due to its rapid contamination, which makes it necessary to replace it frequently. You should not cover the floor of the terrarium with earth, sand and cat litter, because your pet can eat these particles, which will lead to serious consequences.
Must be inside the terrarium need to arrange the house, in which the turtle can hide if necessary. The house should definitely be the right size for the pet. You can use a box or flower pot as a shelter.
In addition to constructing the house, the location of the drinking basin and feeding trough is mandatory.
A swimming pool is very important to turtles because they love to climb into it and drink. Boiled water at a temperature of thirty-three degrees is changed in the bathhouse every day to avoid contamination.
Various harmless vegetation, as well as stones, are placed inside the terrarium. There is no need to clutter the home too much, because the turtle needs a lot of free space.
The house along with the pool should be located in the cooler part of the terrarium, and a flat stone should be placed directly under the lamp on which the turtle will bask.
Microclimate and heating
In nature, the turtle lives in warm areas, which means that it needs to be provided with similar conditions at home.Optimal temperatures – twenty - thirty five degrees.
Turtles must be heated. An ordinary incandescent lamp is perfect for this purpose. It must be placed at a height of no lower than twenty centimeters and no higher than thirty. The lamp must provide light for at least twelve hours a day.
In addition, it is necessary to place an ultraviolet lamp in the terrarium, which is vital for turtles. In winter, the lamp should work every day, and in summer - once a week. Without enough ultraviolet rays, your pet's shell will suffer greatly.
Care
Your pet needs to be carefully looked after to ensure a happy life.
The diet of turtles should consist of ninety percent plant food and ten percent animal food. From plant products you can give duckweed, lettuce, seaweed, dandelions, clover, plantain; from animal food - worms, freshwater snails, shrimp and crustaceans. Young individuals need feeding every day, adults - three times a week.
A drinking bowl with water must be freely accessible. It is necessary to clean the feeder along with the soil, as well as pour fresh water every day.
Hygiene
All turtles go through a molting process. At this time, they need to pay increased attention; add baking soda to the bathing water in the following proportions: one teaspoon per liter of water. During the molting season, you can carry out such baths using soda no more than twice. It makes no sense to spend money on oils or lotions that supposedly help the shell, because in reality there is almost no benefit, but they can cause harm in the form of clogging pores on the skin.
Turtles need to have their beaks and claws ground down. For this purpose, pebbles and large stones are placed inside the terrarium. You can trim your turtle’s claws yourself if they grow too long and cause inconvenience. Nail scissors or tongs are suitable for this purpose. If the owners do not have the courage to do this themselves, then they can contact a veterinarian.
If you have a representative of a tropical species, the terrarium sometimes needs to be sprayed with water.The bathing ritual is very important. Adult turtles should take baths once a week, and young turtles (which are not yet three years old) generally once every three days. The water in the container should be at such a level that the pet's head is necessarily on the surface. You can wash the turtle with a soft sponge. You need to carefully run it over the face, shell and paws, then wipe the pet and release it into the terrarium.
Appeal
You need to handle the animal with care and precision; you cannot handle it too much, only when necessary. Do not cause stress or endanger the animal.
Hibernation
It is not recommended to allow a turtle to hibernate at home.The fact is that only a professional can provide optimal conditions for hibernation for an animal. If the outcome is bad, the pet may not wake up. If you notice that a turtle sits in a corner for a long time and tries to burrow into the ground, then you can assume that it is about to hibernate. Then it’s worth feeding her well and reading special literature to ensure the best conditions for the pet.
Land turtles are quite cute creatures with whom it is pleasant to share part of your life. It is imperative to remember that we are responsible for any creature that we take into our home, which means we are obliged to create comfortable living conditions for it. Keep your pets properly!
The Mediterranean (Greek, Caucasian) turtle is a small reptile of the land turtle family. The length of the shell does not exceed thirty centimeters. Males are slightly smaller. Their shell can only reach twenty-three centimeters. The body of the turtles is sand-colored, with spots of brown shades. The ventral part is also light. The shell is almost black, decorated with yellow spots. The legs are short. Toes can be seen on the forelimbs.
The habitat of Mediterranean turtles is expanding in North Africa, Southern Europe, and Asia. You can see an animal of this breed in the steppe zones, near the foot of the mountains, in sparse forests. Caucasian turtles cannot tolerate heat, so activity is observed in the evening and early morning. The reptile prefers to rest, hiding under some small plant. Most often it can be seen between stones, under bushes. The turtle’s body reacts negatively to a sharp drop in temperature, so the animals sleep all winter. At the beginning of spring they wake up. At this time, young couples can give birth to offspring. You can distinguish a male from a female by the shape of its shell. In males it is more voluminous.
Recently, Greek tortoises have been taken as pets. This decision is explained by the fact that this breed of reptile is quite hardy. With proper care, the pet can live up to thirty years. Before buying a turtle, take care of housing. A terrarium or aquarium is perfect. There should be room for the animal in it, so you should decide on the breed of turtle in advance. Cover the bottom of the “shelter” with a thick layer of a special substrate (sand, peat). At the bottom you can plant small plants (oats, millet, other grains). The sprouts will serve as additional food for your pet. It is not recommended to plant two males in one terrarium at once. Sometimes they can provoke conflicts that will negatively affect the health of one of the animals. It's better to buy a couple. Individuals of different sexes get along well together. Later they can give birth to offspring. Some time after mating, the expectant mother begins to lay eggs. The female buries them shallowly in the soil. It is recommended to immediately transfer the eggs to a special container. This will protect the embryos from injury and premature hatching. In the incubator, the eggs are kept under special ultraviolet paws for four months. Newborn babies (about five centimeters in length) are born completely unprotected. At first, they perceive the environment poorly.
Adult turtles eat almost everything. You can safely give fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and boiled chicken eggs. Dairy products are also beneficial for growing reptiles. You can buy special food at the pet store. Nutritional supplements, vitamins. Change the water in drinking bowls daily. Remember that turtles are used to light. Therefore, take them outside regularly. The sun's rays are very beneficial for the animal.
Mediterranean tortoises are perhaps one of the most popular pets. Yet most reptile lovers know surprisingly little about them.
Keeping and caring for Mediterranean turtles
Nutrition
In nature, reptiles consume flowers, stems and greens. They rarely eat fruit and are never exposed to canned dog food, ice cream, bread, pizza, cheese, cakes or some of the other fancy “treats” that some people offer to pets.
Most turtles fed inappropriate diets become seriously ill. Many die. If you become the owner of a turtle that is addicted to such food, immediately rid the reptile of its addiction. Don't be tempted to give food from the table. Allow the turtle to become hungry enough that it resumes eating its normal, species-healthy diet. This will take some time, during which time offer safe and healthy food.
In captivity, a diet high in fibre, low in protein and calcium will ensure good digestive tract function and shell growth for the reptile. Mediterranean tortoises fed cat or dog food, or other high protein foods such as peas or beans, die from kidney failure or from urate stones in the bladder.
Unfortunately, advice not to give water to reptiles has appeared in books on the care of Mediterranean tortoises. They drink water, both in the wild and in captivity. Drinking is not a sign of poor health (although a sudden change in drinking habits does indicate a problem). Most turtles prefer to drink by entering a shallow dish. And they are encouraged to drink by lightly misting them with a garden hose in good weather.
Too much water...
Drowning. Yes, cases occur every year. If you have a pond, make sure it is completely safe and 100% turtle-proof. Mediterranean turtles do not swim, and any outdoor pool or pond poses a serious danger to their life.
Predators
Hedgehogs, raccoons, badgers, rats, dogs and even large ones attack and kill turtles, especially young ones. Make sure your reptile enclosures are 100% safe. If you doubt the strength of the shelter, move the turtles indoors for the night.
Behavior
Male turtles tend to be territorial animals. Two males can fight over territory quite viciously, sometimes resulting in serious injury. Keep such males separately. In a confined terrarium, males cause serious stress to the opposite sex and traumatize females.
Enclosures should be large enough for the female to escape and hide from unwanted attention. Never overcrowd a vivarium that is too small with Mediterranean turtles. This is a recipe for trouble. Placing older females with young, active males is also extremely risky.
Human efforts and investments are required to create living conditions for Mediterranean turtles.
Mediterranean turtle - video
The Mediterranean tortoise often decorates terrariums. This turtle is one of four living in modern Europe. This species of animal is not protected, but the international organization for animal protection considers that minimal risks are present.
Description
The Mediterranean tortoise is a small one. An adult of this species does not exceed 30 centimeters. The shell is very strong, which completely covers the entire body, which helps it to fully receive protection from predators. The shell is convex, the shields of which form a complex pattern with dark-colored rings. These rings are used to determine the age of the turtle; the more rings, the older the turtle species. The only point is that the exact age cannot be determined from the rings, since the number of rings does not coincide with the age of the turtle. We will tell you about the reproduction of turtles below, but so that you are not deceived when purchasing, you should know that a recently born turtle has a shell of about 3 centimeters.
Where does the Mediterranean turtle live?
This species of land turtles can be found on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, which is where the name of this species comes from. These turtles are observed in areas with completely different climates. The habitat of this species is North Africa, Southern Europe and Southwestern Asia. It has been revealed that this species of turtle loves steppe or semi-desert areas; they have also been seen on mountain slopes in bushes. Sometimes they were found in fields and vineyards, but it is not possible to scientifically explain such behavior. This species is most active during the day, but in hot summer weather they prefer to burrow underground or hide under branches, bushes or. In cold weather, turtles prefer to climb out onto some sunny pebble and bask in the sun. During the winter, representatives of this species hibernate. They look for shelter in the roots of large trees; if they don’t find one, they simply burrow into the ground. For owners of this type of turtle, it is recommended to maintain room temperature conditions, i.e. around 20°C.
Reproduction
These animals emerge from hibernation in March, when the temperature rises above 12°C. Immediately after leaving this mode of life, they begin mating games, which can be seen mainly in open places. Mating games in Mediterranean turtles look something like this: the male approaches the female closely and is pulled into the shell almost completely and begins to tap the nearest edge of his shell against the female’s shell. The main breeding season is summer. Starting in June, females begin to lay eggs in pre-dug and prepared holes. Each clutch contains from 3 to 8 eggs and they can lay eggs up to 4 times during the summer. After she has laid them, she buries them with soil and tramples the ground after walking over it several times and never returns to this place for the safety of her offspring.
Cubs hatch after 70-80 days; the main feature of these turtles is the egg tooth. It is so called because with this tooth they pierce the shell of the egg and cut it vertically in order to get out. Since young turtles, weighing about 15 grams, are born when it starts to get colder, in most cases they do not come to the surface, but rather bury themselves in the ground for the winter.
Nutrition
Mediterranean turtles feed mainly, but they can kill a worm in the literal sense of the word, a snail and, in principle, will not refuse either. Despite the fact that they have a shell, they have many enemies. In their daily life, they do not make sounds, but if the turtle senses danger, it begins to hiss quite loudly, thereby scaring away the enemy. Predators mainly attack young turtles because they still have a soft and not yet strong shell. Many predators love to feast on the eggs of this species of turtle.