17_037911 bindex.qxp 2/21/07 6:03 PM Page 123

Index

adoptions, 48–49 skin color, 20 age, 17, 28, 34 Snapping turtle, 36–37 albino turtles, Softshells, 20 Softshell turtles, 37–38 algae, skin/shell problems, 93 spatial sense testing, 99 Alligator Snapping turtle (Macroclemys tanks requirements, 64–65 temmincki), 37, 80 temperature requirements, 66–67 anapsids, turtle development history, 24 Archelon, Giant Sea turtle, 25 anatomy, 10, 15–22 Asian Box turtle (Cuora amboinensis), 32 ant eggs (dried), 80 Association of Reptile and Amphibian appearance, health indicator, 45 Veterinarians, 83 appetite, 45 AstroTurf, 55–56 aquarium gravel, 55 aquatic turtles baby turtles, 35–36 Alligator Snapping turtle, 37, 80 basking areas, aquatic turtles, 63–64 basking areas, 63–64 basking lamps, 58–59 calcium deficiency, 95 basking spots, outdoor pens, 52 colony issues, 35 beaks/claws, 94–95 Diamondback terrapin, 38 behavior, health indicators, 45 dietary supplements, 81 Bell’s Hingeback tortoise (Kinixys dining box, 78–79 belliana), 33–34 feeding schedules, 81 Big Headed turtles, predatory species, 15 Florida Red-Bellied turtle, 30 body, health indicators, 45 foods/supplements, 77–81 boxes, transportation, 102 handling/holding, 100–102 Box turtles hibernation preparation, 89 evolution development, 26 learning ability, 100 omnivorous diet, 73–74 lighting requirements, 67–68 plastron hinges, 19 Matamata turtle, 31–32 shell closing ability, 21 Mud turtle,COPYRIGHTED 31 brains, intelligenceMATERIAL levels, 98–100 Musk turtle, 30–31 breathing, respiratory infection outdoor ponds, 71–72 indicators, 86 ownership pros/cons, 28 breeders (collectors), 42–43, 108–111 Painted turtle, 29–30 quarantine tanks, 46–47 calcium, 74, 81 Red-Eared Slider, 29 calcium deficiency, 95

123 17_037911 bindex.qxp 2/21/07 6:03 PM Page 124

124 Index

captive breeding, 108–111 Emydid group, family members, 26 carapace, 18–19, 95 Endangered Species Act (ESA), 113–114 cedar/pine shavings, 57 Eunotosaurus, early ancestor, 24 chalk/limestone, aquatic turtle calcium eyes, 15, 45, 86 source, 81 Chelonia, reptilian order, 13, 27 feces, 47, 87, 90 children, turtles as pets, 103–104 filters, aquatic turtle tanks, 68–71 children’s wading pools, housing uses, 52 fish, aquatic turtle food, 79–80 claws/beak, health problems, 94–95 Florida Red-Bellied turtle (Pseudemys climate, outdoor pens, 52–55 nelsoni), 30 cloaca, anatomy element, 21 foods, 76–81 cloacal prolapse, 91–92 full-spectrum lighting, 60 cold-blooded. See ectothermic fungus, skin/shell problems, 94 collectors (breeders), source, 42–43 colonies, housing issues, 35 Galapagos Islands, Darwin Memorial colors, 20 Research Station, 110 commercial disinfectants, 62 Galapagos tortoise, 12, 19 commercial (mail-order) dealers, 43–44 Giant Sea turtle, Archelon, 25 commercial trout pellets, food, 80 gravel (aquarium), tank substrate, 55 conservation, 108–115 Greek tortoise, 51, 59 Convention on the International Trade in Green turtles, commercial tortoiseshell, 18 Endangered Species (CITES), 36, 112 gular pumping, breathing method, 17 Cotylosaurs, “stem reptiles”, 24 Gulf Coast Box turtle, endangered Cryptodirans, 13, 25–26 species, 36 cuttlebone, calcium source, 74 handling/holding, guidelines, 100–102 Darwin Memorial Research Station, health, 45–47 captive-breeding program, 110 health problems, 84–87, 90–95 Diamondback terrapin (Malaclemmys heart, anatomy element, 17 terrapin), 13, 38 heat tape, avoiding, 67 diapsids, turtle history, 24–25 herpetological society dietary supplements, 74, 81 adoption programs, 48 dining box, aquatic turtles, 78–79 conservation/education, 106–108 disinfectants, concerns, 62 veterinarian recommendations, 82–83 herpetology, reptile/amphibian study, 25 eastern United States, Diamondback hibernation, 88–89 terrapin, 13 hide box, terrestrial turtles, 61–62 ecosystem, turtle’s role, 27 Hingeback tortoises, 76–77 ectothermic, turtle’s metabolic system, hobbyists (noncommercial breeders), 12–14 42–43 eggs hot rocks, avoiding, 58 amniotes, 23 housing. See also tanks captive-breeding programs, 108–111 aquatic turtles, 63–72 reproductive process, 21–22 colony issues, 35 17_037911 bindex.qxp 2/21/07 6:03 PM Page 125

Index 125

growth limiting myths, 51 expensive species, 28 terrestrial turtles, 50–63 food hunting strategies, 80 Hylonomus, reptile development, 24 true aquarium dweller, 64 metabolism, ectothermic, 12–14 indoor tanks, 51–52, 55–57 mobility, limb girdles, 20–21 intake tubes, power filter concerns, 71 mouth/nose, health indicators, 45 intelligence levels, 98–100 Mud turtle (Kinosternon subrudrum) intestinal infections, 87, 90 aquatic species, 31 intestinal worms, 90–91 North America development, 26 scavengers, 79–80 Jacobson’s organ, airborne chemical true aquarium dweller, 64 detection, 15–16 Musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) jaws, food tearing, 15 aquatic species, 30–31 North America development, 26 Labrynthodonts, ancient amphibians, 23 plastron hinges, 19 lachyrmal glands (tear ducts), excess salt scavengers, 79–80 secretion, 15 size/weight, 12 learning ability, 100 temperature requirements, 67 Leatherback turtle, 12 true aquarium dweller, 64 leeches, external parasite, 90 unhidden eggs, 22 legal protections, international laws, 112 legs/neck, health indicators, 45 neck/legs, good/bad health indicators, 45 Leopard tortoise New Guinea Snakeneck turtle, side- “belly heat” requirements, 59 necked group, 26 herbivorous diet, 76–77 newspaper, indoor tank substrate, 55 tank size issues, 51 newspaper ads, abandoned turtles, 48 leucistic, color mutation, 20 noncommercial breeders (hobbyists), 42–43 lids, tank security, 52 North American Box turtles (Terrapene lighting, 59–61, 67–68 carolina), 36 lighting hoods, terrestrial turtles, 61 North American Wood turtle (Glyptemis limb girdles, anatomy element, 20–21 insculpta), 98–99 limestone/chalk, aquatic turtle calcium nose/mouth, health indicators, 45 source, 81 liver flukes, internal parasite, 90 Ornate Box turtles, 74, 115 Loggerhead turtles, commercial tortoise- outdoor pens, terrestrial turtles, 52–55 shell use, 18 outdoor ponds, aquatic turtles, 71–72 lungs, 16–17 ownership, abandonment reasons, 48–49

mail-order (commercial) dealers, 43–44 Painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) marine turtles, tear ducts (lachyrmal aquatic species, 29–30 glands), 15 Emydid family grouping, 26 Matamatas turtle (Chelus fimbriatus) hibernation, 88–89 aquatic species, 31–32 inexpensive species, 28 carnivorous diet, 78 temperature requirements, 67 17_037911 bindex.qxp 2/21/07 6:03 PM Page 126

126 Index

Pancake tortoise, carapace openings, 19 hibernation period, 88–89 parasites, 90–91 tank size issues, 51 Pareiasaurs, early ancestor candidate, 24 terrestrial species, 34 pet stores, turtle source, 46 pet welfare, herpetological societies, 108 sale/possession restrictions, 114 pine/cedar shavings, substrate, 57 salmonella disease, 84–86 plants, 53, 62–63 sand, indoor tank substrate, 55 plastron, bottom shell, 19–20 scutes, 17–18, 95 Plesiochelys, early Sea turtle, 25 Sea turtles, Plesiochelys, 25 Pleurodirans security, tanks/lids, 51–52 side-necked group, 26 senses, 15–16 turtle grouping, 13 shells, 17–20, 95 possession/sale restrictions, 114 shell/skin, 17–20, 45, 93–94 power filter, aquatic turtle tanks, 69–71 sizzle stones, avoiding, 58 Proganochelys, early ancestor, 25 skull, anatomy element, 15 public education, 107, 109 Slider turtles, 26, 78 pyramiding, tortoise concerns, 95 smell/taste sense, nose/tongue, 15–16 snake bags, transportation uses, 102 quarantine tanks, guidelines, 46–47 Snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) carnivorous diet, 78 Red-Bellied turtles, carnivorous diet, 78 development history, 26 Red-Eared Slider turtle (Trachemys food hunting strategies, 80 elegans) handling/holding, 101 aquatic species, 29 ownership, 36–37 hibernation preparation, 89 predatory species, 15 life expectancy, 28 Softshell turtles (Trionyx species) Reptilian Norway Rat reputation, albinism, 20 48–49 ownership, 37–38 sale/possession restrictions, 114 true aquarium dweller, 64 Redfoot tortoise (Geochelone carbonaria), soils (natural tanks), 57 28, 33, 51 South American Redfoot tortoises, RepCal, phosphorus-free calcium 73, 76–77 powder, 74 spatial sense, intelligence testing, 99 reproductive organs, 21–22 substrates, 55–57, 59 reptiles, evolution stages, 23–27 Sulcata/Spurred tortoise (Geochelone research assistance, herpetological sulcata), 39, 73, 76–77 societies, 107 sunlight, terrestrial turtles, 60–61 resources, 116–122 supplements respiratory infections, 86–87 aquatic turtles, 81 River Cooter turtles, Emydid family terrestrial turtles, 74 grouping, 26 rock caves, outdoor pens, 52–53 tanks. See also housing rock piles, terrestrial turtles, 62 aquatic turtles, 64–65 Russian tortoise (Testudo horsefieldi) dining box, 78–79 herbivorous diet, 73, 76–77 filters, 68–71 17_037911 bindex.qxp 2/21/07 6:03 PM Page 127

Index 127

glass versus plexiglass, 50 Three-Toed Box turtle, 36 high versus low side styles, 51–52 tongue, anatomy element, 15–16 live plants, 62–63 tortoise quarantine, 46–47 colony issues, 35 rock piles, 62 pyramiding concerns, 95 thermometers, 59 Testudo group, 26 water changing requirements, 70 versus turtle/terrapin, 13 taste/smell sense, nose/tongue, 15–16 toxic plants, outdoor pen concerns, 53 tear ducts (lachyrmal glands), 15 transportation, guidelines, 102–103 temperatures treats, food guidelines, 81 aquatic turtle requirements, 66–67 tree bark, indoor tank substrate, 55 hibernation, 88–89 Trionyx species (Softshell turtles) outdoor pen issues, 52–55 albinism, 20 quarantine tanks, 47 ownership, 37–38 terrestrial turtle, 57–59 true aquarium dweller, 64 terrapin, versus turtle/tortoise, 13 trout pellets, aquatic turtle food, 80 terrestrial turtles turtle-buyer’s club, turtle source, Asian Box turtle, 32 44–45 basking lamps, 58–59 turtle food sticks, aquatic turtles, 80 Bell’s Hingeback tortoise, 33–34 dietary supplements, 74 ultraviolet lights, terrestrial turtles, 60 eating schedules, 75–76 undertank heaters, avoiding, 67 feeding methods, 76–77 U.S. federal laws, 113–114 food/supplements, 73–77 U.S. state laws, 115 handling/holding, 100–102 UV-B wavelengths, 60, 68, 95 hibernation preparation, 89 hide box, 61–62 veterinarians, 82–83 indoor tanks, 51–52 visceral gout, 92 learning ability, 100 vision sense, eyes, 15 lighting, 59–61 vitamin-dusted flies avoiding, 80 live plants, 62–63 vitamins, 74, 81 North American Box turtle, 36 outdoor pens, 52–55 wading pools, housing uses, 52 ownership, 28 Washington Treaty. See CITES quarantine tanks, 46–47 water filters, aquatic turtles, 68–71 Redfoot tortoise, 33 water heaters, aquatic turtles, 67 rock piles, 62 water, tank changing requirements, 70 Russian tortoise, 34 weather. See temperature spatial sense testing, 99 wilderness, 48–49 Sulcata/Spurred tortoise, 39 wounds, 86 temperature requirements, 57–59 Testudidine, tortoise grouping, 13 Yellowfoot tortoises, 73, 76–77 Testudo group, land tortoise, 26 thermometers, tank use, 59 zoos, abandoned turtles, 48