Looking After European Pond Terrapins

Terrapins are ever popular pets and while most people immediately think of the American Red-Eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) or some of its close relatives, there’s one species which comes from much closer to home – the European Pond Terrapin.

With a range extending from Germany and the Netherlands in the north, and France and the Iberian peninsula in the west, across Europe to the Middle East and parts of north Africa, Emys orbicularis is one of the world’s most handsome and hardy terrapins.

There is fossil evidence to suggest that it once swam in British ponds too, before shifts in weather patterns drove it to extinction. As a result, some people have speculated that since there are reports of a small introduced population of these animals which has become established in the UK, they may eventually spread across more of the country if climate change unfolds the way many have predicted.

Whatever the future holds, European Pond Terrapins – sometimes known as “Pond Tortoises” – can make interesting pets and a number of keepers have reported breeding successes with their animals.

A Home For Your Terrapins

Hatchlings and youngsters will need a typical terrapin-type set-up, with shallow water, either a floating island or bank and good filtration. Although these terrapins are naturally hardy, a little extra warmth will be necessary, especially during the winter; although in cooler parts of their range they hibernate, it’s not wise to allow the young of any kind of tortoise or terrapin to sleep through the winter.

Keeping them warm will let them stay active, and long-standing terrapin keepers who have done this with youngsters – and even adult terrapins – don’t appear to notice any ill effects. As always it’s important to make sure the air is warm too – while a source of UVB is essential and a basking spot will also help your animals to stay in the best of health.

As adults they usually grow to around 6 or 8 inches (15-20cm) across their shells, so though they are a good bit smaller than the more familiar American sliders, they need quite sizeable quarters. However, one of the best ways to keep European Pond Terrapins is outdoors in their own secure pond, at least during the warmer months of the year.

All they really need is a preformed pond sunk into the ground, or one made from a good quality liner material – they have strong claws, so thin polythene sheeting won’t do! Their enclosure will need to be contained within a good low wall or strong fence to prevent escapes – and either covered or built with an overhang to stop them climbing out; despite appearances, these terrapins are remarkably good at getting over obstacles – even vertical ones.

Their water will need to be filtered thoroughly and regular changes are a good idea once or twice a month to keep everything clean and sanitary.

Food And Feeding

Although adult European Pond Terrapins are omnivorous, as youngsters they eat an almost wholly carnivorous diet, feeding on any suitably sized small prey they can overpower, although they too are partial to giving water plants an occasional nibble. Most will also take commercially available “turtle” foods.

This species seems particularly prone to deficiencies of calcium and vitamin D3, which can often lead to shell and bone deformities, so cuttlefish bone is essential and many keepers also add a low phosphorus/ high calcium/D3 supplement to their diet to be on the safe side.

Once common across all of its range, although many parts of Europe still have good populations, in some areas loss of habitat, pollution and the general disruption of human development has made these terrapins much less common. With success at captive breeding seeming possible for hobby-keepers, as well as enjoying an unusual and engaging pet, looking after a few of these active reptiles could mean you’re doing your bit for conservation too!