Tartaruga Diamondback

CARE GUIDE

Size: Males can reach 12cm and females 24cm

Origin: North America

Lifespan: Up to 15 years in captivity

Natural Habitat: They inhabit fresh, brackish and even salt water, including brackish channels, lagoons, marshes, estuaries and coastal areas. They particularly favour reed marshes and, although they can live near salt water, they always need fresh water to drink

The Tartaruga Diamondback is one of the most coveted and hard-to-find turtle species in the hobby. Its colouring and patterns make it extremely eye-catching and unlike any other. Its moderate size and active, bold personality make it a very attractive choice as a pet turtle, even for the most experienced keepers.

Although this is a relatively easy species to keep, you should pay attention to a few aspects and ensure certain conditions, which you will find in the following paragraphs.

Aquarium

Size: Minimum 100x40x50cm / 200 litres for 1 adult

Material: Glass

 - Heating and Lighting

Although semi-aquatic, the Tartaruga Diamondback also likes to bask on land. A dry platform should be provided as a basking area at 28-32ºC. A 5-7% UVB lamp should also be used to provide the right levels of ultraviolet radiation for this turtle species. To provide both heat and UVB, we recommend a Mercury Vapour/Solar Lamp. Water temperature should be kept between 24-26ºC with a submersible aquarium heater. 

- Filtration

A filter is needed to keep the water clean, as these animals produce a lot of waste and have high hygiene requirements. Use a filter with a medium flow rate or one that can be adjusted. For adults we recommend an external filter for its superior performance. You can add some salt to the water to make it slightly brackish, which helps prevent fungal and bacterial growth.

- Decor

Rocks, logs and live plants can be used to decorate the aquarium.

Diet and Supplementation

Feeding habits: Carnivorous

- Foods

Staple: The staple diet should be a commercial food formulated specifically for aquatic turtles.

Occasional: Fish, Crayfish, Frozen Shrimp, Earthworms, Crickets, Roaches, Locusts, Mealworms, Waxworms, Calcium Worms, Bloodworms...

Under Portuguese Law No. 95/2017 of 23 August, the sale and/or advertising of wild/exotic animals through websites or online platforms is not permitted. To find out which animals we currently have available and their conditions of sale, please get in touch with us.