The European Pond Turtle

European Pond Turtle: (Emys orbicularis)
Description: Smooth, oval carapace, small joint between abdominal and pectoral areas of the plastron. Seperate webbed fingers with sharp, visible nails. Older individuals are darker, whereas young adults usuallt bear light, often yellowish spots and stripes on carapace, neck, and head. Adult carapace is is 7-14" long and weighs 11/4-21/4 lb. The female is larger.
Breeding: Mating may occur from march through october but is most frequent in March and April. The female,usually in june,lays 3 to 16 eggs, each less than an ouncein weight and measuring 1-11/2" in holes dug in the ground. The young hatch from August to September. The male reaches sexual maturity in 12-13 years (sometimes 6-8); Females do so in 15-20 years.
Habitat: Still or slow moving waters, with or without vegetation, from sea level to altitude. They feed on fish, amphibians and their larvae, insects, mollusks, crustaceans, worms, young snakes, small mammals, and occasionally plants.
Range: North Africa, Europe, and Western Asia

*in captivity the european pond turtle can live up to 120 years!!*