Coahuila box turtle

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Coahuila box turtle
Amphibians-and-reptiles-of-the-state-of-Coahuila-Mexico-with-comparison-with-adjoining-states-zookeys-593-117-g002.jpg

Coahuila box turtle ( Terrapene coahuila )

Systematics
Order : Turtles (Testudinata)
Subordination : Halsberger tortoises (Cryptodira)
Family : New World pond turtles (Emydidae)
Subfamily : Emydinae
Genre : Box turtles ( terrapene )
Type : Coahuila box turtle
Scientific name
Terrapene coahuila
Schmidt & Owens , 1944

The coahuilan box turtle ( Terrapene coahuila ), also water-Terrapin called a species in the genus is box turtles belonging to the emydidae belongs. It has one of the southernmost distribution areas among the box turtles and occurs only in a relatively small region of today's Mexico. Unlike most other box turtles, they are good divers.

Appearance

Coahuila box turtles have a carapace of up to 17 centimeters. The back armor is a horn color. In adult animals, the drawing of the shell is very blurred. The belly armor is yellow.

The small, narrowly tapered head is light to gray-brown, often has a white-dark marbling or line drawing. The yellow stripe that runs from the corner of the eye to the eardrum is one of the characteristic features of this species. The feet of this aquatic species are webbed, but they are only very moderately developed. The color of the armor is identical in both sexes. Males, however, have a concave belly armor, while the females have a convex or at least flattened shell.

Distribution area, habitat and way of life

The Coahuila box turtle is limited in its distribution to an 800 square kilometer swamp area, which is located in the center of the state of Coahuila in the basin of the Municipio Cuatro Cienegas . Mating occurs in this region throughout the year. Mating takes place both on land and in the water. When mating, the male bites into the head or neck area of ​​the female.

The females can lay several clutches. They usually build their nesting pits, which they dig with their hind legs, between May and September. The clutches contain three to seven eggs that weigh no more than 6 grams. The time it takes for the young to hatch depends on the ambient temperature and humidity. It usually takes between 48 and 56 days for the young to break free from their eggs. These have a carapace length of 3.3 centimeters and are more conspicuous in color than the adult animals. They have yellow or black markings, the basic color of the shell is brighter than that of the adult animals.

Coahuila box turtles eat their food both on land and in the water. They mainly eat animal food, which includes insects, crustaceans and snails. This food is supplemented with fruits and plant components.

proof

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Rogner, p. 73
  2. ↑ a b Rogner, p. 74

literature

  • Manfred Rogner: Tortoises - biology, keeping, reproduction , Eugen Ulmer KG, Stuttgart 2008, ISBN 978-3-8001-5440-1

Web links