Mauremys annamensis: Vietnamese Pond Turtles
Russ Gurley
Comments: This rare turtle is somewhat of a success story for captive breeding of Asian species. Luckily, quite a few Mauremys were imported in the late 1990s and were set up in thoughtful breeding programs. Now, it is most certainly extinct in nature, but is established and breeding in captive collections across the United States and abroad.
Distribution: M. annamensis was originally found in a very limited range in Central Vietnam.
Adult Size: Adults grow to 7” to 8” (17 to 18 cm).
Captive Care: In captivity, Vietnamese Pond Turtles appear to be tolerant of a wide range of water conditions. pH seems relatively unimportant as long as the water is warm (78° to 80° F), well-filtered and aerated. Offer these turtles large enclosures with plenty of driftwood and piles of slate as they love to bask and males tend to be aggressive to unreceptive females and to other males. We place driftwood and piles of slate in the tub to add some “exercise areas” and to provide some areas for submissive turtles to retreat for safety. Indoors, these turtles can be set up in a large aquarium (60-gallon to 75-gallon). At the Turtle and Tortoise Preservation Group, adult Vietnamese Pond Turtles are set up in our larger tubs (48” w x 84” l x 24” deep). This aquatic setup is sufficient to hold five or six adult turtles. We add an efficient filtration system, a shop light fixture with UVB-emitting bulbs, and a couple of basking spots with heat lamps mounted above. We add a variety of floating and submerged aquatic plants to the enclosure. In addition to helping keep the water clean and healthy, plants will add some variety to the turtles' diets.
Outdoors, in moderately sized (10' x 10') ponds, you can keep six to eight of these medium-sized turtles quite easily. Plants, fish, and snails will add to the health of their environment.
Feeding: These turtles are omnivores. Their dietary interests will usually be focused on eating floating aquatic turtle food, stray insects, snails, crayfish, and nibbling on the plants in the environment.
Common Health Problems: Imported M. annamensis arrived with the usual health-related problems seen in many Asian species. They were somewhat dehydrated and stressed and many were parasitized with nematodes. Shell rot and minor injuries were cleaned up with Betadine® scrubs and antibiotic creams. The parasites were removed with 2-3 treatments of Panacur®. Despite these combinations, that cause problems in many other species, these turtles seemed to acclimate quite quickly, accepting floating commercial turtle food and earthworms and redworms, right away.
Breeding: Luckily, M.annamensis have acclimated very well to captivity and have proven to reproduce when given thoughtful and creative environments with plenty of secure hiding places, especially large pieces of driftwood, submerged logs, and live plants. The females have been diligent in their search for suitable nesting areas. The babies, with their attractive yellow and cream-colored face striping, have proven to be hardy and inquisitive captives. Their enclosure can be a small aquarium or tub with 5” to 6” of filtered water in the 76° to 78° F range. UVB and heat-emitting bulbs should be placed overhead. They eagerly approach their keeper in hopes of a meal of redworms or Reptomin® food sticks. They chase small guppies and enthusiastically rummage through the plants in their aquarium in search of aquatic insects.
SUGGESTED READING
Ferri, V. 2002. Turtles & Tortoises. Firefly Books, Buffalo, New York. 255 pp.
Fu, M., Z. Ermi, and M. S. Hoogmoed. 2001. Identification Manual for Common Turtles and Tortoises. The Endangered Species Import and Export Management Office of the People's Republic of China. China Forestry Publishing House.
Gurley, R. 2003. Keeping and Breeding Freshwater Turtles. Living Art publishing. 305 pp.
