Terrapin Species

ind below Information on the most common species of terrapin found in the UK, and hope it helps you make the right choice when thinking of chossing and terrapin as a pet  



Red Ear Slider

Species: Trachemys scripta elegans

Size: adult females grow to approx 12 inches with males staying slightly smaller

Life Expectancy: a healthy Red ear Slider can life anywhere between 25-40years

Origin: Mississpi  to Gulf of Mexico

Habitat: Quiet pools, muddy bottoms,

 



Yellow Bellied Terrapin

Species: Pseudemys concinna

Size: adult Yellow bellys grow approx 12inches with males staying slightly smaller

Life Expectancy: a healthy yellow belly with life anwhere between 25-40 years.

Origin: USA Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains

Habitat: Rivers with current and vegetation



European pond terrapin

Species: Emys Orbicularis

Size: adult females approx 8" with males been slightly smaller at 7"

Life expectancy: a healthy european pond turtle can live up t 30 years

Origin: Europe, Northwest Africa, Iran, Baltic

Habitat: Slow moving water with mud bottoms



Painted terrapin (picture  of a southern painted)

Species: Chrysemys picta bellii

Size: adult size is approx 10"

Life expectency: approx 15years

Origin: Canada,, Missouri, Colarado etc

Habitat: Ponds, marches, streams

Soft Shelled Terrapin (indian)

species:Lissemys punctata

size: approx 10"

Life expectancy: 25-30yrs

origin: India and Sri Lanka

habitat:Still or slow moving waters with mud.

Soft shelled Terrapin (chinese)


Species: Trionyx sinensis

Life expectancy: 25-30yrs

Size: approx 16"

Origin: Eastern china, Taiwan, Korea, Japan

Habitat: Rivers, lakes, canals and streams