Land turtle species

Land turtles are reptiles that can be excellent pets, if what is intended is enjoy less demanding animals, peaceful and calm.The land turtles are basically herbivores, feed on vegetables and fruits, and occasionally, larvae.Even so in some species their feeding is omnivora.

Although we find many species of land turtles, Animals and Pets Online has collected the different species that can be adopted as a pet if you wish.Depending on whether you live in Spain, Mexico or Argentina, for example, you can enjoy some specimens or another.The most important thing is undoubtedly to ensure that it is not a protected species and take care of it throughout its life.

Continue reading this article on species of land turtles to discover what it is the ideal for you and your home.cover some curiosities and see them in the pictures.

1 Mediterranean Turtle

The Mediterranean turtle lives in all European countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, from the Black Sea to the Iberian Peninsula.It is a protected animal , but those born in hatcheries can be adopted without problems.The female is somewhat older than the male (18 cm females, by 16 cm males).

These turtles are very long-lived animals , and if they are taken care of correctly they can be companions throughout our lives, and even beyond...There are specimens of up to 110 years.They have daytime habits and during the autumn they begin a process that will culminate with hibernation.It is necessary that turtles Homemade hibernate if you want them to live long and properly.

The wild Mediterranean turtle has been divided into different subspecies, depending on the area where you live.That is why its size, weight and the drawing of its shell changes from from one place to another.A clear example is the differences between the Majorcan turtle (15 cm female and 13 cm male), and Menorca (18 cm female and 15 cm male).

2.Russian turtle

The Russian tortoise is present in a huge territorial area .Copies can be found in Russia, China, Afghanistan, Pakistan and various Central-Asian republics split from the former Soviet Union.

It is something larger than the Mediterranean (up to 22 cm females, and up to 18 cm males).Its shell is more rounded, but What clearly distinguishes the Russian tortoise from similar ones, is that it has 4 ones, instead of the 5 that the other species have.

Size, weight and drawings in the shell vary greatly from one place to another.The Russian turtle does not withstand the heat well and when it is above 28 ° C a few centimeters is buried to cool off.The hardness of the radical climate of the Russian turtle's habitat causes its hibernation to be much longer and buried up to 2 or 3 meters deep, instead of the 20-40 cm of the Mediterranean turtle.

In the wild east threatened reptile lives 40 to 50 years .Domestic if properly cared for will have centennial lives.

3 starry turtle

The Indian star turtle is a very popular pet, although very delicate and with a great mortality rate in the first months of existence.In the wild, its habitat is extended by the arid areas of India, Ceilan and Sri Lanka.

Their size can reach up to 10 cm, but the females are much larger than the males.It has a very convex shell, with yellow haloes that radiate rays also yellow, creating a spectacular fabric for its beauty .It is not a threatened turtle.

4 Sulcata turtle

The turtle sulcata (also called spur tortoise), lived in northern Africa, currently only survives in National Parks of the African continent, since its existence is threatened by the civilization advance , agriculture and hunting for its appreciated meat.

It is the third largest land turtle.Its shell can reach 80 cm, and the turtle weigh 100 kg.Sexual dimorphism in this species of turtles causes the male to be older than females.This turtle does not hibernate since it lives in climates.

The sulcata turtle is a pet of relatively easy conservation, since the only thing they need It is a large garden and huge amounts of food.During European winters it is necessary to keep them in indoor terrariums.

The wild sulcata turtle is protected by the CITES agreement.For this reason if you want to adopt a specimen you must be carried out in prestigious stores that provide all the required documentation and in order, in which it is shown that the specimen is from a farm.

5.Box Turtle

The box turtles are distributed throughout the Americas and the Asian . Both species are in danger , although for different reasons.In Asia because it is considered a medicinal food, although there are farms producing these reptiles.In the USA and Mexico the danger of extinction is due to the poaching of wild specimens to resell them as pets.

There are a multitude of species and subspecies of box turtles.They are delicate pets not appropriate in homes with children, dogs or cats.The three species just mentioned can severely damage box turtles.

Turtles box are omnivores, they feed on insects, snails, carrona, plants, flowers and fruits.If you want to adopt a box turtle, you must do it in a solvent trade that documents that the animal has not been extracted from the natural environment..

If you want to read more articles similar to Species of land turtles , we recommend that you enter our Comparisons section.