Southern ornamental turtle

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Southern ornamental turtle
Southern ornamental turtle (Chrysemys picta dorsalis)

Southern ornamental turtle ( Chrysemys picta dorsalis )

Systematics
Subordination : Halsberger tortoises (Cryptodira)
Family : New World pond turtles (Emydidae)
Subfamily : Deirochelyinae
Genre : Chrysemys
Type : Ornamental tortoise ( Chrysemys picta )
Subspecies : Southern ornamental turtle
Scientific name
Chrysemys picta dorsalis
Agassiz , 1857

The southern ornamental tortoise ( Chrysemys picta dorsalis ), also known as the dorsal ornamental tortoise or striped ornamental tortoise , is the smallest of the four subspecies of the ornamental tortoise .

habitat

The southern ornamental turtle occurs in North America from southern Illinois to northwest Alabama and along the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico . It lives in slowly flowing waters and in pools and ponds with rich underwater vegetation. Due to their comparatively small size, these turtles are often kept in aquariums.

description

The males of the southern ornamental turtle reach a size of 10 centimeters. The females are significantly larger with up to 15 centimeters.

Its name-giving feature is the dorsal stripe running in the middle of its back , which is yellow to red in color. On the head of the animals there are yellow spots behind the eyes and yellow stripes, which turn into a reddish to bright red color on the neck. The limbs are also provided with yellowish or reddish stripes. The animals have no or almost no drawings on the abdomen. The color of the carapace varies between dark olive and dark brown. The edges are a little lighter and have a yellowish to reddish color.

The claws on the front legs of the males are elongated compared to those of the hind legs and compared to those of the females.

behavior

These turtles feed on small insects that live in the water and their larvae, as well as crustaceans, fish, crickets and various worms. Older animals in particular also consume plant-based food. They are excellent swimmers and like to sunbathe floating on the water's surface or in the immediate vicinity of the water, but escape back into the water even with the slightest disturbance.

Web links

Commons : Ornamental Turtles  - Album with pictures, videos and audio files