Red-bellied turtle
The red-bellied turtle (Pseudemys nelsoni), is a species of water turtle found in the freshwater of North America. The red-bellied turtle is a common turtle favored by turtle enthusiasts, as this species is often sold in pet stores. It may be called red belly turtle. We will explore more about this fascinating species, its care, habitat, and some of its most notable traits.
This turtle species can show some similarities with specimens of Pseudemys rubriventris.
Distribution
The red-bellied turtle is found predominantly in Florida, although it is not present in the far southern areas. It also inhabits the lakes and swamps of Okefenokee, located in southern Georgia.
The turtle Pseudemys nelsoni prefers a habitat that provides a wide variety of elements, such as vegetation, branches, and objects, allowing them to explore, climb, dig, and rest. A food-rich environment and a safe place to hide are essential for their survival and well-being.
Characteristics
Its shell has a domed shape at the front, without serrated rear edges. The shell coloration is black with red or yellow patterns on the costal and marginal scutes, which fade with age. The second costal scute has a light central stripe shaped like an inverted "Y" split in the middle of the scute. All marginal scutes have a reddish central bar on the upper side, and the underside shows dark spots along the sutures. Older individuals tend to be uniformly black.
The bridges are uniformly yellow and the plastron can be red orange with a central pattern that fades over time. Some individuals have a very light plastron, almost uniformly white.
The head is medium-sized with a fairly flat nose, a prominent notch at the tip of the upper jaw, and teeth on the sides. The head is black with multiple yellow stripes and an arrow-shaped mark on the front of the forehead.
The juveniles have lighter coloration than adults, with a very round shell and a plastron ranging from orange to bright red.
Habits
These turtles typically inhabit lakes, marshes, flooded ditches, mangroves, and slow-flowing rivers, as long as there is abundant aquatic vegetation nearby. They are diurnal animals active throughout the year, especially in the southern part of their range. During the day, they spend time basking on tree trunks or piles of vegetation, often near other species, although they do not hybridize with them. When looking for a basking spot, they can be aggressive toward other turtles.
How long does the red-bellied turtle live?
The Pseudemys nelsoni can live up to 30 years depending on the quality of life provided in captivity.
How big is the red-bellied turtle?
The size of a adult pseudemys nelsoni can reach up to 38 cm in length of shell length and the female is usually larger than the male. Males rarely exceed 30 cm.
Red-bellied turtle care
The care of this species is comparable to that of other water turtles. Providing a balanced diet, an environment with enough sunlight, and adequate space are essential for their rapid growth and well-being, reducing the risk of diseases.
Ideally, it is recommended that the turtle live outdoors in a pond since this species can undergo hibernation.
If you need to keep this turtle indoors, you should provide an aquarium or aquaterrarium with the following features:
Filter
The filter is essential to keep the water clean for extended periods, preventing diseases and save water. Make sure the filter is always running.
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UVB light
For good digestion and a proper nutrient absorption that allows for a strong shell, exposure to UVB light provided by the sun or a UVB lamp is necessary. If outdoor sun exposure is not possible, it is important to use a special reptile lamp with UVB light and ensure the turtle receives between 4 and 8 hours of daily exposure.
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Substrate
A substrate recommended for aquatic turtles should be used, with appropriate size to prevent accidental ingestion. For more information about suitable substrates, you can consult a specific post on the subject.
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Heater
During the first two years of the red-bellied turtles, it is recommended to keep the water temperature at 28 degrees Celsius to encourage their activity, development, and appetite, allowing them to grow healthily. As they grow, the temperature can be lowered to a range between 25 and 28 degrees Celsius using a adjustable thermostat.
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Prevent baby turtles from hibernating.
Dry area
To ensure the well-being of these turtles, it is important to provide them with a dry area in their habitat to rest and bask, especially since they grow quickly. It is essential that this area is easily accessible and free from drafts, as they are prone to pneumonia.
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Water changes
It is recommended to perform weekly 20% water changes of the aquaterrarium to keep nitrate levels low.
A dechlorinator should be added to tap water if used for the red-bellied turtle tank. This is because chlorine can irritate the turtles' skin and eyes, which can harm their health. Dechlorinators can be purchased at pet stores and help neutralize chlorine and other chemicals present in tap water.
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How to feed a red-bellied turtle?
The is omnivorous and feeds on a variety of plants, insects, and aquatic animals. Juveniles can also feed on aquatic insects and small freshwater invertebrates.
These turtles have a diet similar to Trachemys and require a balanced diet for proper growth. It is not recommended to feed only dried gammarus or shrimp, as this can cause vitamin deficiency diseases.
The diet should include turtle food, animal-based foods such as insects, snails, fish, and lean meat, as well as some fruits and vegetables. Aquatic plants can be provided for a plant-based intake.
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For proper development, we must provide a calcium dose.
Reproduction
Males reach sexual maturity at 3-4 years old, while females reach it at 6 years old.
During courtship, males swim above females and then move to the rear to smell their partner's cloacal area. If the female keeps swimming, the male follows with his neck stretched out to touch her head with his nose. In this species, it is also common to see the male grasp the female's head sides with his front legs and perform a series of caresses and rapid vibrations with his front legs.
Egg laying takes place between May and June, with an average of three to four clutches per season. They can lay their eggs in alligator nests, and female alligators have been observed guarding the eggs laid by the red-bellied turtle. In these nests, where temperatures can reach 50°C, incubation lasts about 50 days. Each clutch contains between 8 and 30 eggs.
Compatible species
Although these turtles can coexist with species such as yellow-eared turtle, red-eared turtle, Cumberland turtle, peacock turtle, Pseudemys, painted turtle and the group Graptemys such as the false map turtle without problems, but it is necessary to provide them with enough space so that each one has its own territory and fights over habitat dominance do not occur.
It is advisable to keep individuals of similar size together, as larger ones can be aggressive towards smaller ones.
Conservation Status
The has several natural predators, including humans, raccoons, otters, opossums, some bird species, and the large Chelydra serpentina. However, it seems that alligators mainly feed on red-bellied turtle hatchlings (Pseudemys nelsoni). Some authors suggest that the shape and thickness of this species' shell are directly related to the need to defend against this predation.
The red-bellied turtle (Pseudemys nelsoni) has been imported as an alternative to red-eared slider turtles and is now an environmental problem because some people release them into the wild. This species adapts well and can eliminate nearby animals and plants. They compete with native turtles, such as Mauremys leprosa y Emys orbicularis.
It is can be legally acquired available in many specialized pet stores and through breeders, but we must keep in mind that having a pet is a big responsibility and requires time, care, and resources to ensure its well-being.
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