Captive breeding

     In the wild, sexual maturity in Carettochelys insculpta males is reached after 14 to 16 years which corresponds to a carapace length of about 300 mm while females reach sexual maturity much later, after 20 to 22 years, having reached a carapace length of 300-340 mm by that time (Cann, 1998). Based on some laparoscopy work and the keeping of specimens from hatching it would seem that it could take up to 25 years for this species to reach full maturity.

     In captivity, sexual maturity is reached much earlier. (Roempp, 2003, pers. comm.) It took only ten years to Roempp's male Carettochelys insculpta to reach sexual maturity. Within the examined specimens, two males were observed trying to copulate at the age of three years, having a carapace length of 140 to 150 mm.

     The evidence of captive breeding is limited to two occurrences. One of them took place at the Bronx Zoo (NY, USA) and the other at the Zoological Garden Wilhelma (Stuttgart, Germany). No other records are available. The Bronx Zoo breeding occurred in the "Jungle World" exhibit but the turtles bred without intervention from staff. They had on previous occasions captured the turtles and used Oxytocin to retrieve the eggs but without success. On this occasion egg laying and incubation was done in situ with one hatchling being retrieved from the exhibit. The following year the turtles were allowed to lay but the eggs were retrieved and incubated with a couple of hatchlings and in September, 2003, one hatchling was recorded from the exhibit. (Abene, 2004, pers. comm.)

     In 1997, Roempp gave a pair of his mature Carettochelys insculpta specimens to Wilhelma zoological garden on a breeding loan basis. Apart from these two animals, the garden has a group of seven of its own mature specimens. Captive breeding occurred in 2002, but by accident. The eggs were found in the water of the enclosure and one hatched after it was incubated, other eggs were eaten by the turtles or large fish that share the enclosure. (Roempp, 2003, pers. comm.)

     The last year (summer 2004), Wilhelma zoological garden found another egg. It was artificially incubated, but two months passed the expected hatching date, the egg was opened and the hatchling was found dead. It was fully developed. (Roempp, 2005, pers. comm.)

Conclusion

     Due to its peculiar appearance and increasing availability, Carettochelys insculpta becomes a turtle commonly purchased at pet shops. Because most of hobbyists, who buy this turtle, lack the basic knowledge of how to keep the species in captivity, many specimens die within months or even weeks. On the other hand, if basic husbandry requirements are met, Carettochelys insculpta seems to be a hardy species and can even thrive. Clean, alkaline (pH of around 8.0 to 8.3) and warm (temperature of 28-30°C) water together with a spacious tank and well balanced diet are the main factors that provide the basis for successful keeping the species in captivity. Low density of specimens within one tank with some hiding places is required in order to prevent possible aggression among specimens. Being omnivorous, Carettochelys insculpta requires well balanced diet containing both plant and animal matter. One cannot expect any breeding success with this species unless he or she has access to large artificial setups where breeding and nesting may occur like they occur in their natural environment. Such setups can normally be provided by Zoological gardens or other institutions. With proper knowledge, egg incubation and hatching may be done artificially. In 2004, Carettochelys insculpta was included in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Aknowledgments

     The senior author thanks Oliver Roempp and Joe Abene, Department of Herpetology Bronx Zoo and Wildlife Conservation Society, for sharing their knowledge concerning the captive husbandry of the species. The junior author would like to thank Arthur Georges for discussions and opportunities to work with this species.

Navigation:    Page 1    Page2    Page 3    Page4