Unusual pets: red-bellied turtles. How many can these animals without water?

Recently in our homes have become increasingly more unusual pets. Very different - small and large, fluffy and devoid of hair, playful and very passive. Especially popular are red-eared turtles. How long can these reptiles survive without water? How to care for them at home? What to feed and what kind of habitat to provide? Probably, these questions were repeatedly asked those who were lucky to become the owner of this unusual creature.

This article is aimed at clarifying the situation, as they say, in all aspects. The reader will receive all the necessary information and learn in detail not only about how many live red-bellied turtles without water, but also a lot of other information about the life of these funny creatures.

General information about the representative of the world of modern fauna

From the scientific point of view, the red-bellied turtle must be attributed to the family of the so-called freshwater Emydidae.

Experts believe that all representatives of this species can live without problems in any, even the most weakly flowing reservoirs. They easily tolerate even relatively low temperatures, and in the diet are very unpretentious. It is all the above features allowed these animals to settle far enough from their natural habitat. Today they can be found in South and North America, Europe, Asia and even Africa.

The question of how many red-bellied tortoises can live without water, as a rule, interests both home breeders, and those who observe its life in the wild. We answer: unfortunately, not for long. Scientists say that this period should last no longer than 4-5 days, and even then in a relatively humid environment. Otherwise, the animal will die.

History of discovery of this species

It is believed that the first mention of these turtles should be attributed to approximately the 16th century. It was then that information about them was found in the records of the Spanish colonialists, who went to study the flora and fauna of Peru.

By the way, it's amazing that this reptile got such a name. Why is she red-eared? After all, neither she nor her relatives have what we, people, could call ears. Like all reptiles, these sensory organs are represented by a tympanic membrane located at the top of a tiny head. By the way, it should be noted that he hears this reptile quite well. Sounds with a frequency of up to 300 hertz are not a problem for him.

The very first description of the turtle was made more than 350 years ago. However, then she was mistakenly attributed to a completely different kind - Testudo. At that time, many animals were actively transported from continent to continent for study purposes. The red-bellied turtles were not an exception. How much can these creatures live without water, even then many seafarers checked in practice. Unfortunately, many experiments then ended in the death of the animals themselves.

Basic rules of care

To date, these reptiles have become very common pets. They are actively contained in medium-sized terrariums.

We can not disagree with the statement that if any animal today can cause admiration, it's the red-bellied tortoise. How much can this creature be without water, it is necessary to know those who are used to walking the reptile at home. The reptile may well run away, crawl into the far corner of the room and hide. If it is not found in time, it can easily die from lack of moisture.

To eat such a pet also prefers outside the land. By the way, that's why the water in her "house" will have to be changed quite often.

Features of the content

For the safe keeping of the animal, novice breeders will need to construct a so-called aquaterarium, which will be divided into two conditional zones: land and water.

By the way, it is not recommended to keep (or walk) the reptile on the floor. And there are several reasons. First of all, you can accidentally step on it and injure the pet. Secondly, the turtle can easily swallow small debris. And finally, the floor is a place of drafts, and this kind of reptiles is very susceptible to colds.

An adult turtle will have enough 100-160-liter aquarium, the land area in which should be no less than 25%. Like all reptiles, red-eared turtles prefer to rest on an improvised shore. How much these animals can live without water, depends largely on their age and health. But on average, on a platform or mound of stones, they rarely stay longer than twenty minutes. After that, they are happy to immerse themselves in their usual habitat.

Interesting facts about the reptile

It would seem that what else can be interested in red-eared turtles. How many can these animals without water, we already found out. But the breeders say that this is by no means the most interesting fact from the life of this animal. What else?

For example, not everyone knows that, although such turtles are considered very unpretentious, their maintenance and breeding require a lot of time and effort. Of course, most of their life they spend in a wet environment, but without sushi, they also can not do. Strangely enough, it sounds, but with a long stay in the water, they can even weaken and drown.

Turtles of this species are not without reason considered long-living animals. In captivity, they can please their owners before the age of 30.