European pond turtle

The young wait in the egg for good weather to hatch. Sometimes even an entire winter until the following spring.

Discover in real life
European pond turtleEmys orbicularis

  • Habitat

    Europe, North Africa, Middle East and Central Asia in freshwater

  • Food

    worms, insects, frogs and fish

  • Lifetime

    100 years

  • Weight

    maximum 1 kilo

  • Length

    12 to 38 cm

  • Number of eggs

    10

  • Incubation time

    3 months

  • IUCN Status

    sensitive

  • EEP?

    yes

100

years, that's how old a bog turtle can get

38

centimeter, that's how big his shell can get

3

months, that's how long it usually takes for the eggs to hatch

Smart eggs

The swamp turtle lays its eggs in a self-dug pit covered with sand. When the young grows in the egg and it is 25°C or colder, it becomes a male. At 30°C or warmer, it becomes a female.

Deep hibernation

In the mud at the bottom of the water, turtles hibernate. They then retreat into their shells. By the end of spring, they wake up.