D'Orbigny's slider
D'Orbigny's slider (Trachemys dorbigni) is a species of water turtle found in southern Brazil, northeastern Argentina, and Uruguay.[2]
Reproduction
A popular way to identify whether the animal is male or female is to examine the format of the plastron. Only terrestrial species, after a few years of life, show differences between male and female. Males have a penis that is inserted into the tail, it becomes apparent only during the mating season when it is inserted into the female's cloaca. On average 9 eggs are produced at a time. The eggs are buried in a nest dug into the ground. Incubation ranges from 2 to 4 months, and the baby turtles are born weighing 11 grams and 3.5 cm carapace. When the males reach sexual maturity (after 2 years), they acquire a dark color while the females keep the same green after maturity (at 5 years). The sex of baby turtles is determined by the temperature of the sand during incubation: lower temperatures show the birth of a higher female population.
Diseases
The turtles can catch some diseases such as pneumonia, dystocia, bone decalcification, vitamin deficiencies, gastroenteritis and prolapses, among others.
Diet
These turtles can eat almost anything: shrimps, vegetables, fruit, carrion, small fishes, snails, etc.
Legal
This species is considered wildlife and its ownership and maintenance are only allowed with specific documentation. The purchase invoice must contain the popular and scientific name, stating the number of animals recorded at the bottom of the hull, the certificate of origin, invoice number and the number of commercial breeding of wildlife recorded in the Brazilian IBAMA.
References
- Bibliography