The Red Turtle Tortoise is a kind of earth turtle type tropical that we mainly find in South America. It is also nicknamed Testudo Carbonaria or Geochelone Carbonaria. She was discovered by Johann Baptist von Spix in 1824 who attributed her name to her because of her Color “Coal”. Want to know more about this amazing and charismatic species? In this case, read the continuation of this article which will reveal all the secrets on this fascinating turtle ...🐢
The red leg charcoal turtle
has. Physical characteristics
This turtle measures on average 30 to 35 cm in adulthood But it is common to see some exceed 40 cm. Its average weight is included Between 3 and 9 kg. Note that the largest specimen known to date is 60 cm long and weighs 28 kg. Her life expectancy is 50 years with good environmental conditions. The shell is dark, charcoal gray (hence its name) and covered with yellow spots See Yellow-Orange. We find these same tasks on the skin of his head and members. The tasks on his legs saw that with dark red orange which earned him this nickname of red legs. We see Differences in colors depending on the region and the biotope.
The shell is often curved, well elongated and rather smooth. We note, however, that the shell can sometimes take a “pyramidal” structure in some individuals raised in captivity. This species is regularly compared to the yellow leg charcoal turtle of the Amazonian basin, which strongly resembles it physically.
© By Geoff Gallice - Flickr
b. Natural habitat and distribution
The distribution of charcoal turtles is not uniform. These are rather located in the South America countries such as Panama, Venezuela, or Guyana. We also find Some specimens in the extreme south From the continent in Bolivia, Colombia, Peru and the East in Brazil. They are also Present in the Antilles (Martinique, Guadeloupe, Grenadines among others) Although their origin is not determined. Indeed man would have very well could import them into these regions during periods of colonization. Their population is still difficult to estimate Because it is a species that is used to live hidden in fairly remote places in order to protect yourself from the dangers.
The favorite habitat of the charcoal turtle has constant and oscillating temperatures rather Between 26 and 30 ° C during the day and 23 to 25 ° C at night. They live in Strongly damp zones Or precipitation is important. However, it was noticed that some of them have Suitable for drier climates According to the region. THE Testudos Carbonaria Often settles like forests in locations with high vegetation of clearing types, edges or simply along a current of fresh water.
c. Carbonaria turtle sexage
Male individuals have more pronounced color spots and are a bit bigger than females. The male shell has a "wasp size" with edges that are trendy to be more curved and curved inwards. The lower part of Plastron is more open Which gives it an advantage at the time of mating. The tail of the female is shorter in the shape of a cone while that of the male will be more muscular and carried on the side.
© by vicente.niclos - www.testudines.org
c. Behavior
The behavior of the charcoal turtle on red legs often depends on the region in which she lives. We still notice that these reptiles remain at Rest during hot hours of the day and are more active in the morning and in the evening.
The captivity coal turtle
has. Legislation
the coal turtle is a vulnerable species which is registered with Annex 2 of the CITES (Washington Convention). His business is therefore limited. You must therefore first have the necessary authorizations and follow the regulations in force in order to be able to adopt one.
b. Terrarium maintenance
Given that France is far from being a country with tropical temperatures, you will have to have a Terrarium In order to recreate the right environmental conditions for your coal turtle (especially if it is a juvenile turtle). This terrarium will have to Respect several criteria who are as follows:
- Temperature: between 26 ° and 30 ° C the day and 20-23 ° C at night
- Predict a wetland as well as a hot area
- The minimum size of the terrarium must be 10x larger that the turtle
- Low UVB lighting or provide many shaded areas
- Respect a humidity included Between 70 and 80%
- Use a cypress, coconut or peat foam type substrate
- Enjoy the terrarium of living plants and hiding places
These recommendations will be all the more important For a baby carbon turtle. To reproduce their natural environment, babies must have wet hiding places in which they can snuggle up, as in a burrow. A stable climate will promote animal growth and contribute to good hydration. Breeding turtles that do not receive adequate humidity tend to form bumpy shells.
c. Outdoors
If the climatic conditions allow it (ex: strong summer heat) it will be possible to turtle in an enclosure. He will have a large wetland. The walls must be about 1.5x higher than the turtle and bury in the ground to avoid escape attempts. These mammals are generally not large "fouisseurs", which is therefore not as worrying as for other species of turtles.
Food of the Charbonnier Turtle
The coal turtle is a Omnivorous reptile, its diet therefore does not fully comply with Food of land turtles herbivores. His food is very varied And greatly depends on its residential area. In general its diet is mainly composed fruit from trees, herbs, vegetables/plants but also a few Low quantity animal proteins (ex: slugs, insects, larvae, snails or even mice). These turtles are good eaters and are not used to refusing a meal. In captivity, it is possible to give it, among other things, mulberry leaves, grape leaves, hibiscus leaves. They will also appreciate kale, green cabbage leaves, turnip leaves and also cactus. Anyway, the best is to always opt for a very varied diet.
The “Testudo Carbonaria” and hibernation
Contrary to Some Mediterranean species, the red leg charcoal turtle does not need to hibernate. However, she may experience a period of slowdown during winter When the weather becomes fresher and the days shorten. When they are older, they can withstand a temperature slightly below 20 ° C provided that it can warm up during the day (at least 26 ° C). In case of high heat outdoors, the turtle can support temperatures up to 37 ° C But in this case it will need a well -shaded area. Humidity is not a problem in hot weather (a fresh mud hole on a hot day), but turtles should be maintained dry during cold nights.
Reproduction in the charcoal turtle
has. Coupling
The start of The rainy season (April and May) represents the nuptial period For the charcoal turtle, although it can reproduce all the rest of the year. Specimens seem to be attracted by certain noises and certain smells Who lead them to "coupling zones" like fruit trees for example. When the male and the female meets within a meter, they adopt Specific behaviors to identify with each other. The first contact aims to determine which sex belongs to the other, which is why they are going observe carefully The color of the skin, the shell and the scales. After which, the most imposing turtle of the two will perform jerky movements of the head, from one side to the other, for two to four seconds.
Case n ° 1 :
If The two turtles are males Two situations are possible: either one of the two turtles chosen to move away and run away or A fight is committed. In the last case they try to overthrow the other on their backs. The defeated turtle then leaves the area. Sometimes some male or female can “go up” of the same sex fellows. Researchers think it can be explained by wanting to express their dominance over the other.
© Illustration by Albert Eckhout - www.mauritshuis.nl
Case n ° 2 :
If this time The turtle opposite is a female, she will seek to flee and the male will continue it. During this pursuit, the male will sniff the female and try to touch his shell while emitting great cries. If the female stops its running, the male can either wait for her to resume her movement or leave. After this pursuit, the male goes up the female by placing his front legs on the sides of the shell. He will then Position against the Superracaudal (posterior part of the shell) and push strong moans. If the female resumes his race, he can fall and catch her. They seem that females sometimes voluntarily use their rear legs to drop the male. If the female is receptive, she extends her legs and raises her plastron. The male often leans his head above that of the female and opens his mouth wide, moaning stronger and louder. He can also bite, sometimes quite aggressively. The shells can emit strong slams which are sometimes impressive. After mating, the female moves away, sometimes by hitting the male. (Admit that all this is very ... romantic)
© by Postdlf, CC by-SA 3.0
b. Egg laying
The laying of the female linked Five to six weeks after mating. She will then go in search of a nest to place her eggs there. If the ground is hard, it can urinate to soften it And start digging using your rear legs. The hole (about ten cm) will depend on the length of its legs. All this preparation time will take him approximately three hours. Females lacking experiences must sometimes take it several times to Dig the ideal hole. When the nest is finally ready, it plunges its tail as deeply as possible in order to deposit Between 2 and 10 eggs. She then re -recovered the ground. Once the hole is covered, it will then hydrate and look for a place or rest, In very rare cases, the charcoal turtle can also lay its eggs on the surface or in a parcel of cacti.
