How do turtles breed in captivity?

Turtles, perhaps, are the oldest reptiles that currently live on our land. These animals are very popular among connoisseurs of exotic fauna. However, these unique pets need special care and attention. From this article you will learn how the turtle breeds, and what are the conditions for their keeping.

Terrarium

Some believe that you can keep a reptile in a regular cardboard box. It's a delusion. In order for a pet to feel as comfortable as possible, it must create all the necessary conditions. For these purposes, only a terrarium with high walls (about 1 meter) can approach. On the bottom should be poured large enough sand, and in the corner to make a small canopy of fabric or cardboard. Such conditions of detention are most natural for these animals. The terrarium should be equipped with heating, ventilation and lighting systems. Since many kinds of turtles need ultraviolet radiation, it is recommended to install UV lamps in addition to conventional ones. They should be located at a distance of not less than 60 centimeters from the location of the reptile. In the walls and on the lid of the terrarium, small ventilation openings should be made. For aquatic turtles on one level with the floor you need to build a small pond. Young specimens of freshwater species are very useful for some time to be placed in an aquarium with water. It should be regularly changed to fresh, stale.

Reproduction of turtles

Breeding reptiles - the occupation is rather difficult and laborious. It is very important to provide animals with favorable conditions for life: a varied diet, hibernation, a spacious habitat. That the future offspring did not have any deviations, individuals of both sexes should be absolutely healthy.

Methods of stimulation. The impact of light and heat

Reproduction of turtles at home can happen quickly enough if certain measures are taken. It should be noted that if only one pair lives in the terrarium, the chances of success are rather low. Ideally, you should have one female and two young males. As a stimulation to the reproduction of reptiles, it is customary to use the change in humidity, temperature and duration of daylight. First, we should gradually reduce t ^o . It is recommended to increase the humidity and shorten the duration of daylight hours. Then you can make changes already in the reverse order. The impact of heat, light and moisture acts on the reptile as a stimulation to reproduction.

Wintering

Another method is cooling. Reptiles one by one are placed in rag bags and placed in sphagnum. Boxes with turtles should be taken to a cool room (0 to 12 degrees). To prevent dehydration filler should be sprayed every day with water from the spray gun. As a rule, artificial wintering lasts about four weeks. Then the boxes with turtles can be moved back to the house. Two days later, animals can be placed in the terrarium and turn on the heating lamp, while increasing the duration of the light time to 16 hours. It is very important to include in the diet of pets foods rich in vitamin E.

Marriage Games

How do aquatic turtles multiply? Usually the male, seeing the female, swims to her head. Animals touch each other with their noses. In this case, the behavior of individuals is not distinguished by aggressiveness. A striking example is the red-bellied turtles. How do these reptiles multiply ? The mating process usually occurs in water. Before the act of copulation, the male tickles the chin and neck of his partner with long claws. At this time, its paws finely and finely vibrate. In the process of mating, he can even hit hard enough on the carapace of a female. Usually this is observed in more mature individuals. As a rule, sexual intercourse lasts from five to fifteen minutes. After pairing the female waits for the night and leaves to lay eggs on the land. How do the terrestrial turtles multiply? Here, the action takes place somewhat differently.

Usually the sexual activity of reptiles occurs in late spring. During this period, males are battling for the right of reproduction. In this case, the female shows one of them their location for mating. She stops in place and stands quietly. At this time, the male carefully approaches her from behind and, sniffing at the tail zone, climbs on her armor. This process can take quite a long time. When, finally, he takes a comfortable position, the mating begins. In this case, the male will firmly grasp the beak in the neck of his chosen one. How do turtles develop marsh? Their behavior in the mating season differs significantly from terrestrial and freshwater. Before copulation the male behaves aggressively enough aggressively. If the female is on land, he pursues it. In the event that a female specimen swims in a pond, the male climbs it with claws and clings tightly to his partner's armor. Being in this position, he beats his head against the nape of the female or grabs the neck with his jaw, blocking any movement. This is how flirting takes place before mating.

Pregnancy Period

After pairing the specimens should immediately be planted in separate terrariums. The fact is that after mating, males often display aggression. So, let's continue to consider how the turtles multiply. About two to three months the female has eggs. During this period, she behaves restlessly. Experienced zoologists recommend to include in its diet fresh foods rich in vitamins. In the terrarium it is necessary to maintain the temperature within the limits of 22-26 degrees of heat. And on land, you should prepare a separate place for laying eggs. To do this, in the soil or sand should dig a hole and put a small container with sphagnum there so that it is on a level with the land. After laying eggs the female forgets about her offspring.

Incubation period

As soon as the female lays eggs, the container should be removed from the terrarium and placed in an incubator. A young mother is recommended for some time to be isolated from other reptiles. At the same time, her nutrition should be strengthened within two to three weeks. This will restore the strength and immunity of the animal. The temperature in the incubator, where the eggs are, should be maintained within 29 degrees. The height of sand in it should be at least 20 centimeters. There also need to put a small vessel with water, placing it under a heating lamp.

As an incubator, you can use a simple aquarium or a glass jar. Eggs of turtles can not be turned over. To transfer them should be extremely cautious. Three months later the eggs will appear from the eggs. Young offspring should immediately be transplanted into an aquarium or aquatorarium. It should be remembered that some eggs can be unfertilized.

Care of newborns

Teenage cubs hatch from the egg with the help of a tooth located on the tip of the nose. With this small tusk, they pierce the shell from within. Two days after hatching, the tooth disappears by itself. All young individuals have a transverse fold on the plastron, associated with the position of reptiles in the egg. Little turtle should never be placed in the same pen with adult animals. The fact is that mature individuals do not have a maternal instinct, and therefore they can cause irreparable harm to the young. Newly hatched offspring usually contain in the same temperature conditions as adults. Their diet should consist mainly of plant foods with the addition of calcium. The bottom of the terrarium should be laid with a special primer designed for a specific type of reptile.

How do sea turtles multiply?

Surprisingly, reptiles of this species begin to multiply only on the part of the land where they themselves were born. Often for this female has to overcome enormous distances. Nevertheless, no female has so far not yet strayed from the intended course. This navigation ability of reptiles of this species still surprises scientists. Reproduction of turtles, as a rule, occurs at night. The female goes ashore, making sure that she is not in danger, and heads up the coastline. She is looking for a secluded place, where the tide line would not reach. Having found a suitable land area, the female digs the pit with its front legs until the upper part of its shell is at the ground level. Then she digs a hole about 50 centimeters deep, where she lays up to two hundred eggs. A turtle for one outlet to land is able to make several clutches, covering them with sand. In marine turtles, which are in captivity, the process of reproduction is similar. Within seventy days, the cubs appear. Young turtle should be transplanted into a separate container and caring for them, maintaining heat, light and humidity. That's how the turtles multiply.