Unusual pets: red-eared turtles. How long can these animals live without water?

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:43

Recently, unusual pets have begun to appear more and more often in our homes. The most different - small and large, fluffy and hairless, playful and very passive. Red-eared turtles are also very popular. How long can these reptiles live without water? How to take care of them at home? What to feed and what habitat to provide? Probably, those who were lucky enough to become the owner of this unusual creature have asked similar questions more than once.

This article aims to clarify the situation, as they say, in all aspects. The reader will receive all the necessary information and learn in detail not only about how long red-eared turtles live 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 a scientific point of view, the red-eared turtle should be placed in the family of the so-called freshwater Emydidae.

Specialists believe that all representatives of this species have no problemscan live in any, even the most low-flowing water bodies. They tolerate even relatively low temperatures without problems, and they are completely unpretentious in nutrition. It is all the features listed above that 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 long a red-eared slider can survive without water is usually of interest to both home breeders and those who observe its life in the wild. The answer is: unfortunately not for long. Scientists argue that such a 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 is surprising that this reptile got such a name. Why is she red? After all, neither she nor her relatives have what we humans could call ears. Like all reptiles, these sense organs are represented by the tympanic membrane located in the upper part of the tiny head. By the way, it should be noted that this reptile hears quite well. Sounds up to 300 Hertz are no problem for him.

The very first description of the turtle wasmade over 350 years ago. True, then it was mistakenly attributed to a completely different genus - Testudo. Many animals at that time were actively transported from continent to continent for the purpose of study. Red-eared turtles are no exception. How long these creatures can live without water was already tested by many sailors in practice. Unfortunately, many experiments then ended in the death of the animals themselves.

Basic care rules

Today, these reptiles have become very common pets. They are actively kept in medium-sized terrariums.

One cannot but agree with the statement that if any animal today can cause admiration, it is the red-eared turtle. How long this creature can be without water must be known to those who are used to walking a reptile at home. The reptile may well run away, crawl into the far corner of the room and hide. If it is not detected in time, it can easily die from lack of moisture.

This pet also prefers to eat outside of sushi. By the way, that is why the water in her "house" will have to be changed quite often.

Content Features

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

By the way, it is highly discouraged to contain(or walk) a reptile on the floor. And there are several reasons. First of all, you can accidentally step on it and injure your pet. Secondly, the turtle may well swallow small debris. And finally, the floor is a place of drafts, and this type of reptile is very susceptible to colds.

A 100-160-liter aquarium will be quite enough for an adult turtle, the land area in which should not be less than 25%. Like all reptiles, red-eared turtles also prefer to rest on the improvised shore. How long these animals can be without water depends largely on their age and he alth. But on average, on a platform or mound of stones, they rarely stay longer than twenty minutes. After that, they again enjoy immersing themselves in their usual habitat.

Interesting reptile facts

It would seem, what else can be of interest to red-eared turtles. How many these animals can live without water, we have already found out. But breeders claim that this is far from the most interesting fact in 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, they spend most of their lives in a wet environment, but they also cannot do without land. Strange as it may sound, but with a long stay in the water, they can even weaken and drown.

Turtles of this species are not without reason considered long-lived animals. ATin captivity, they can please their owners for up to 30 years.