European Pond Turtle

• TBA

Extensively variable coloration is seen within this generally small species, however there is usually some light speckling on a dark (often black) background color. The shape and coloration of the shell changes with age. Young European pond turtles have a rounded shell, and the shields are rough and slightly keeled, uniformly dark brown above and black below, with a yellow spot on each marginal and plastral shield along the rim of the carapace. As they age, the dorsal shields become smooth and are generally spotted or striated with yellow markings on a dark background.

The head, limbs, and tail are dark with yellow or light brown spots and small dots. Shell size ranges from 12 to 38 cm (5 to 15 in.) and they have 12 pairs of marginal shields. The head is covered with smooth skin and the limbs are extensively webbed. The European pond turtle has a flexible hinged plastron that is loosely united to the carapace by ligaments. Males of this species mature earlier and generally remain smaller than females, but they have similar growth rates.

The European pond turtle's webbed feet allow for effective swimming in slow freshwater environments, such as ponds, lakes, canals, and rivers with little current. These turtles are able to stay underwater for long periods of time, bask often, and swiftly vanish under the water when disturbed. Pond turtles have their own carapace for protection, as well as feet and claws for swimming and digging.

In Rapunzel's universe, the opponent gets drenched when the terrapin shoots a tiny stream of water out of its mouth.

The primary diet of the European pond turtle was carnivorous. Insects, frogs, tiny fish, mollusks, and carrion are among its prey. Certain aquatic plants may be consumed by elderly people. These turtles spend hours basking and controlling their body temperature on logs or rocks because they are "sun-lovers." Although they can develop hierarchies in basking spots, they are usually solitary. There have even been reports of hatchlings setting "pecking orders" for food.

Reproduction

• Breeding is seasonal, typically spring-early summer. 

• Females lay 3–16 eggs in sunny, well-drained soil away from water. 

• Temperature-dependent sex determination: incubation temperature influences sex ratio. 

• Hatchlings emerge after ~90–100 days, sometimes overwintering in eggs until spring. 

The European pond turtle was secretive and cautious, diurnal, and active in warm weather. It basked on logs or banks. Dominance hierarchies are an element of their social interactions, especially when it comes to reproducing. Although it can bite defensively, this turtle was generally harmless and did not act aggressively toward humans. They can, however, become extremely docile in captivity, identifying their owners and receiving meals by hand.

Threats

• Habitat loss (wetland drainage, agricultural change). 

• Freshwater pollution and fragmentation. 

• Predation on eggs and juveniles by mammals and birds. 

• Competition from introduced turtles (e.g., red-eared sliders).

Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Near Threatened (NT)

Conservation Efforts

• Protected under various national and international conservation laws. 

• Conservation programs include habitat protection, reintroduction, and public awareness.

• Anti-poaching enforcement.

• Rescue and rehabilitation centers.

• Awareness campaigns against illegal pet trade.

European pond turtles, is found in southern and central Europe, northwestern Africa (roughly Morocco through to Tunisia), and in humid areas of the Middle East and Central Asia as far east as the Aral Sea. Historically the species was more common and had a wider distribution than it does today from Ireland, Norway, Britain, to Corona Kingdom (until the reclamation), including far as Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Israel. This species lives in freshwater areas, including ponds, lakes, slow-moving streams and other lentic regions. They select terrestrial locations with open, high, and sandy soil habitats for nesting. These turtles search for habitats in shallow, fertile areas with adequate food supplies and minimal predators.

• Movement Pattern: Not Migrant

• Individual Type: Solo

• Population Trend: Unspecified

• Population: 100,000-150,000

• Locomotion: Amphibious

• Habitat: Taiga; Montane Grasslands and Shrublands; Temperate Coniferous Forests; Temperate Broadleaf and Mixed Forests; Temperate Deciduous Forests; Temperate Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands; Subtropical Coniferous Forests; Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests; Subtropical Dry Broadleaf Forests; Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands; Salt Flats; Stone Forest; Tropical Coniferous Forests; Tropical Moist Broadleaf Forests; Tropical Dry Broadleaf Forests; Tropical Grasslands, Savannas and Shrublands; Mediterranean Forests, Woodlands, and Scrub; Mushroom Forests; Deserts and Xeric Shrublands; Badlands; Fallow Airbase; Flooded Grasslands and Savannas; Swamp; Bayous/Billabongs; Riparian; Wetland; Mangrove Forest; Cold Bamboo Forests; Tropical Bamboo Forests; Warm River; Cold River; Lukewarm River; Warm Pond; Cold Pond; Warm Lake; Cold Lake; Warm Ghost Town; Cold Ghost Town; Ruined Skyscraper.

• Earth: 

  • Extant (Resident): Albania; Algeria; Armenia; Austria; Azerbaijan; Belarus; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Bulgaria; Croatia; Czechia; France; Georgia; Germany; Greece; Hungary; Iran; Italy; Kazakhstan; Latvia; Liechtenstein; Lithuania; Malta; Moldova; Monaco; Montenegro; Morocco; Netherlands; North Macedonia; Poland; Portugal; Romania; Russia; Serbia; Slovakia; Slovenia; Spain; Switzerland; Syria; Tunisia; Turkmenistan; Türkiye; Ukraine

  • Extant & Introduced: Belgium; Luxembourg; United Kingdom

  • Presence Uncertain & Origin Uncertain: Cyprus; Iraq

All terrapins are automatically tamed when hatched from an egg, as the survivor is always within 6 radius of the sac hatching. If the tortoise is somehow not tamed at birth, it can be tamed with any fish, shrimp, crab or eggshells.

Coming soon

• Aragonés: Galapago europeu

• Belarusian (Taraškievica): Балотная чарапаха эўрапейская

• Belarusian: Балотная чарапаха еўрапейская

• Bulgarian: Европейска блатна костенурка

• Brezhoneg: Baot-dour gwern

• Bosanski: Evropski močvarni terapin

• Català: Tortuga d'estany

• Corsu: Raned

• Dakaszëbsczi: Błotny żółw

• čeština: Želva bahenní

• Dansk: Europæisk sumpskildpadde

• Deutsch: Europäische Sumpfschildkröte

• English: European pond terrapin, European pond turtle

• Español: Galápago europeo

• Eesti: Euroopa sookilpkonn

• Euskara: Apoarmatu istilzale

• Farsi: لاک‌پشت برکه‌ای اروپایی

• Français: Cistude

• Galego: Sapoconcho común

• Hrvatski: Barska kornjača

• Magyar: Mocsári teknős

• Italiano: Testuggine palustre

• Nihongo: ヨーロッパヌマガメ

• Kazakh: Батпақ тасбақасы

• Lietuvių: Balinis vėžlys

• македонски: Блатна желка

• Maori: Kawa-honu Pakeha

• Nederlands: Europese moerasschildpad

• Norsk nynorsk: Europeisk sumpskjelpadde

• Norsk: Europeisk sumpskilpadde

• Polski: Żółw błotny

• Punjabi: یورپی تلائ کھچوپڑے

• Português: Cágado-de-carapaça-estriada

• Russian: Европейская болотная черепаха

• Slovenčina: Korytnačka močiarna

• Slovenščina: Močvirska sklednica

• Svenska: Kärrsköldpadda

• Türkçe: Benekli kaplumbağa

• Ukrainian: Європейська болотна черепаха

• Vèneto: Galana

• TBA

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_pond_turtle

• https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Emys_orbicularis

• https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q187036

• https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/7717/97292665

• https://www.froglife.org/info-advice/amphibians-and-reptiles/european-pond-turtle/

• https://animalia.bio/european-pond-turtle?custom_list=500

• https://zowiac.eu/en/endangered_species/sumpfschildkroete/

• https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Emys_orbicularis/

• https://www.zoodelahautetouche.fr/en/especes/european-pond-turtle-2564

• https://circabc.europa.eu/sd/a/738820ec-5fdb-437b-ae46-5d632e49552d/LT%20-%20European%20Pond%20Turtle%20%28Emys%20orbicularis%29%20-%20Final.pdf

• https://www.deviantart.com/ognimdo2002/art/European-Pond-Turtle-1098500281