Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Thinking of keeping a Emys in Palm Beach Florida and was wondering if the summer heat here would be to much as it can get to the mid 90's plus outside in July-August time frame. I favor trying the phayrei, but would the emys emys be better as they are from a range that is more south?

You can do eather one down there without any worry of the heat.(except babies) The environment MUST be VERY shaded. The best case would be if you have three leavels. High tree cover and medium tree cover equelling about 70% or more in full summer and low to the ground cover also.(thick brush/grass ect. A few bushes in an open field wount cut it, the "Sun" rays must be extreamly filtered. Nature will provide the rest and you should have a dry/wet season. Except for around April(when you want a dry season)you can add as much fake rain as you want. A sprinkler hose tossed up in a tree works fine and your done with that project in five minutes and $12. A pool under that is perfect. You want the ground to be wet and hold water in some ares and a few higher dryer places with a western exsposure. Emys emys are along the equator and below it. Even though some phayrei range is around 30 degrees latatude up into Nepal, make no mistake about it, it is HOT except for a short time in Jan./Feb. They grouth rate in S fl. is much faster than just up here in N.Florida. Phayrei from the same clutch were grown up to five years old in both areas and were brought back for me to see. The ones raised in S.Fl were 70% heaver than the N.Fl. siblings. It took me 13 yrs for a second generation so it would be possible to do it their in 8-9 years. Phayrei have to be 40 lbs to have a desent vivable clutch of 35-38 eggs. You will do good with them if you have it made in the shade. Vic