European pond turtle

Description:

European pond turtles are the only naturally occurring turtle in Austria. They are recognizable by the dark shallow tank and the characteristic yellow dots. Sizes up to 18 cm (for females), a maximum weight of 1 kg and lifespan up to 60 years. The sex of adult animals can be identified based on there eyecolor: the iris of the male is orange, the yellow of the females.

Habitat:

It is found in southern and central Europe, West Asia and North Africa. In the early post-glacial period, the pond turtle had a much wider distribution, being found as far north as southern Sweden. Emys orbicularis turtles prefer to live in wetlands surrounded by a large proportion of natural, wooded, landscape. Specimens of Emys orbicularis are also found in upland environments for feeding.[3] Emys orbicularis is usually considered semi-aquatic, as their terrestrial movements can span 1000 meters, and occasionally found traveling up to 4000 meters, away from the water