Reptile & Amphibian Forums

These are pictures of my terrapin pond, with a foot deep water on each side. we have males in there with females, it's been 2 weeks and no breeding, they never have bred or even met before though. The pond is 9 feet long split in thirds of two water areas and the middle being topsoil. I'd appreciate your critism and additional help on this project of mine. Thanks.

this is one of the 9 inch females

Hi, I built a terrapin pond somewhat similar to yours about 5 years ago and have had very good breeding results. I too used the landscape timbersstacked up with an overhanging lip to prevent escapes on top. My entire enclosure measures 8' x 12'. The pond itself is 8' x 8' and the sandy area is 8' x 4'. The water depth is a little over 2 feet deep. If you look on www.geocities.com/dterrapin there is a link to a great yahoo e-group devoted exclusively to diamondback terrapins. If you join that e-group, I have a photo of my terrapin pond posted in the photos section in a folder titled "Jason's".

I think you will get some breeding results, it is just a matter of time. There will likely be an acclimation period that may vary from a few days to a couple of years. They may need to stay in the pond a year and overwinter outdoors naturally to trigger a good breeding response. The changes in daylight, temperature and so forth that come with the seasons really get the terrapins on a consistent breeding cycle once they have been in the same pond for awhile.

I think you have a great set-up and I would just be a little patient and before you know it you will have hatchling terrapins all over the place.

I just wanted to ask what state you live in just to try and approximate what your seasonal temperatures are. If you are up north it may be wise to deepen one side of the pond for hibernation purposes. Also, it may be a good idea to partially shade the water in the hottest parts of the summer.

,Jason

thanks for the response....I live in central Florida, i have been thinking of a place for shade across half of the sand area but they get up under the lip for shade anyway.

My pair have been going at it all winter long in an indoor pond. I have three eggs due to hatch soon (they only had a large flat basking rock for the winter so she laid in the water but I got to them in time.

I moved them into a large outdoor pond for the warmer months again yesterday where they have a land mass of peatmoss and topsoil combined and a layer of sand over that. I planted several grasses and horse tail in their to give them a more natural feel and they went to mating furiously right away again.

Your set up looks very nice and I would just give them time. Are they wild caught animals (recent captives?) They may take a some time to settle in.

Just be patient. When they get the urge they will start up.

Steve

Yes, I agree that it is key to simply be patient. They will breed in time. Are your terrapins wild caught Northerns? If so, that may be a reason for the lack of breeding. The stress of the new climate and captivity and new surroundings may take a little time for them to get over. The annual high and low temperatures will definately be a bit different than their native temperatures (if they are Northerns). All such factors could affect the time required for acclimation. Please be patient and soon enough they will get well acclimated to your climate and set-up.
,Jason

I appreciate the replies, still just like man these guys gotta get goin its late in the year turtle-town already has hatchlings for sale. I have Chesapeake Northerns, wild caught 6 inch males, 2 of them, and 3 9 inch females. Straight from the maryland estuarian waters, I'm in central florida, the acclimation has started for they notice each other, and they eat shrimp out of my hand like crazy, they also have a mean bite (ouch), but that aside maybe i should do the sandy top layer with a couple plants. Anything else?