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BEHAVIOR

Reproduction
Spawning
The fate of hatchlings
Transition to a less active state or adaptation to environmental conditions



The fate of hatchlings

Birth

Hatching can last a few hours to several days.
Hatchlings use a temporary egg tooth to help break open the egg shell. The tooth will fall out by itself a few weeks later. The hatchling's shell is slightly folded inwards and will ultimately take its final form one or two days later.


The central part of the plastron is not completely closed. The abdomen is connected to the yolk sac which is a food reserve available during first days of the hatchling's life.

Be careful! Hastening the birth by disturbing the nest, extracting the eggs and cracking the shell is harmful and causes a high rate of mortality.

After hatching, the turtles must be placed in a few millimeters of water so that they can drink. It is advisable to leave the shells at their disposal because they feed on them. This provides them with the calcium they need to grow.


THE NEWBORNS' HABITAT

The hatchlings are easy prey for predators (foxes, raptors, herons, etc..) Housing must provide maximum security to individuals.
It is necessary to prepare an area that takes into account the rapid growth of turtles:

The young turtles should be kept in the area for about two to four years.


THE CHANCES FOR SURVIVAL OF YOUNG TURTLES

In the wild, most of them die within the first year of life and only a small minority reach adulthood.


THE DIET OF YOUNG TURTLES

Their first priority is to drink. A variety of food twice a day, consisting of fruits and vegetables cut into small pieces is necessary.
It is advisable to provide the young turtles with sepia bones in order for them to obtain the calcium needed for their growth.


GROWTH

Weather conditions play an important role in the growth of turtles. They grow rapidly during the first years of their lives.
When turtles reach adulthood, their development is slower.
Turtles get bigger and fatter throughout their lives.
Growth is not the same for all individuals of the same age. Climate and habitat as well as the quality and quantity of food are all factors that influence it.


SEXUAL MATURITY

The age of sexual maturity depends on the species and the growth of each individual.
Given the precocity of certain individuals, we can say that an animal is able to reproduce when it reaches an adult size indifferent of age.