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