Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm curious if anyone here keeps CA wood turtles, Rhinoclemmys p. manni.

I have what I think are 1.1 they both have approx. carapace lengths of 4.5".

Can anyone comment on likely eventual size (in captivity) and how long it will take them to reach sexual maturity/max size?

I am about to start preparing most of my reptiles for hibernation/brumation. I was going to keep the turtles going through the winter, but they seem to be spending more time buried in the substrate over the last week or so?

Also, can anyone comment on appropriate temps; ambient, basking spot and water.

Sorry for all the questions, but if you don't ask...

Cheers,
Mark.

I've had a pair now for approx 2 years and I keep them in a 40gal breeder tank with approx 1/2 water 1/2 land. I use a plastic basin for their water because they get it filthy quickly. I would say they spend 90% of their time in the water! I feed them daily with leaf lettuce and nightcrawlers. This past winter she had 4 single eggs aprox 2 weeks apart-nothing has hatched to date, but I do see them breeding. 2 winters ago she had a couple of small dud eggs. I have no idea how old they are as they're wild caught. I would guess the female is approx 8" long. Hope this helps. Any info you may have on incubation would help. Also I don't brumate these turles as of yet. Maybe why the eggs haven't hatched???

Brian

These are not brumating turtles and you would run a high risk of hypothermia or pneumonia if you maintain them at low temperatures for prolonged periods. I assume you were referring to your other reptiles, however.

i have a male about 5" i would say from what i heard and read the male would be be at about 5-7 inches and the female 6-8 anybody correct me if im wrong but thats what i have read

n/p

Thanks for your comments - any more?

I'm interested in whether people have witnessed seasonal activity. Like I said, mine seem to be hiding/burrwoing a lot lately, I wondered if in the wild they have a winter or dry season slow down, i.e. some kind of seasonal activity pattern. If so, it might be important to replicate it for breeding?

Also, can anybody else comment on how long they take to reach sexual maturity/max size?

Finally a more general question. With European tortoises, the basic plan is to feed a low nutrient/high fibre diet, so as to achieve slow even growth. Turtles like manni are omnivorous - if they get too much protein, do they just grow quicker, or can they develop shell deformities (assuming that they get plenty of calcium)?

Thanks again,
Mark.

I dont know how old my two are since they were adult when i got them.

And like i mentioned b4, there isn't a set breeding season, they do it anytime all year around and females will drop an egg or two when ever! I was told the eggs are hardshelled and chicken sized!!! I learned that they are poor nesters, thye may dig a very shallow area or nothing at all and just let it go where ever! and they're small clutches. 1-2 at a time
So day in and day out they will soak for hours or days, dig under the dirt and hang out and poke their heads up to look, eat...like pigs sometimes..and make out. That's my pair's daily habits.

I have a pair of RP Manni.
First off, they do not hibernate. The digging under is their every day natural behaviour. They seek out damp leaf litter when there's no water around in their natural habitat. So you gotta care for them all year round.
Mine mate ALL the time and always in the water...I just learned they dont have a set season either. I have one happy couple hehehe No eggs, she's about 6.5", he's 6". I think the max is 8" for ladies.
Ya needto feed more than that, big variety they need. Mango, strwberry, shredded carrot, zuchinni,...chunk of apple..banana...and of course greeeeens. romaine or green leaf goes here.

keep the humidity up and the substrate moist!