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European pond turtle

LA: Emys orbicularis

EN: European pond turtle

DE: Europäische Sumpfschildkröte

HU: Mocsári teknős

 

We found him near a little pond.

The only turtle species that is endemic to Central Europe. Otherwise it can be found in Europe, Turkey and Morocco, as well.

 

Loves slow moving waters and ponds. They can live up 40-60 years long.

 

In many European countries they are endangered as their natural habitat of wetlands is shrinking.

 

In recent years they are also threatened by the fact that there are more and more Red-eared sliders (a turtle species native to the southern US and Mexico but often kept as pet in Europe) end up in the wild and behave as an invasive species against the local pond turtle.

 

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Uploaded on April 15, 2016
Taken on March 29, 2016