Today, among the inhabitants of home aquariums, you can find pig-tailed turtles. This exotic animal has a funny look. Its muzzle is crowned with a piglet, which makes the reptile look like a pig. How to properly maintain and feed such unusual pets at home? Does this species survive on reptiles with fish? We will answer these questions in the article.
Appearance
The two-clawed tailed turtle is a rather large animal. The length of his body can reach 56 cm, and weight - 20 kg. Males are usually smaller than females.
The body is covered with a smooth or tuberous shell of a grayish-olive color. The eyes have a reddish tint. An elongated stigma with a proboscis and a “patch” on the end. Around the eyes you can see a white speck.
The forelegs of the tortoise have two claws, and the hind legs look like flippers. With their help, the animal moves through the water. When the turtle swims, it creates the feeling that it is "flying." Her limbs are widely spread and resemble wings.
A photo of a brown-headed turtle can be seen below.
Lifestyle
In nature, this species of reptile lives in the rivers and lakes of New Guinea and northern Australia. Two-clawed turtles live at a depth of 2 - 5 m. This is a very rare animal, it is listed in the Red Book.
In the natural habitat, the brown-headed tortoise eats mollusks, small fish, aquatic insects, and algae. In young reptiles, food of animal origin usually predominates in the diet, and in adults, plant food. This feature should be considered when feeding turtles at home.
During the period of activity, turtles float to the surface of the water behind the air once every 2 to 3 minutes, and in a calm state, once every 15 to 40 minutes. The reptile has a lifespan of 50 to 100 years.
Aquarium Maintenance
This animal constantly lives in water. Staying on land, he practically does not need. Therefore, it is very important to choose the right aquarium for keeping a brown-headed turtle. As already mentioned, this reptile has a fairly large size. She loves space. Therefore, the turtle must be kept in a large aquarium. For young individuals under the age of 2 years, a tank volume of 150-200 liters is suitable. An adult turtle needs to be transplanted into a larger aquarium. Its volume should be at least 500 - 1000 liters.
The growth of a reptile depends on the volume of the aquarium. The more space, the larger the turtle can reach. Under good conditions, her body size should reach at least 43 - 45 cm in adulthood.
In order for the pet to be healthy, it needs the following conditions of detention:
- Comfortable water temperature. Two-clawed tortoise in nature lives in a warm climate. Therefore, in the aquarium, it is necessary to constantly maintain a water temperature of at least +26 - +30 degrees. In cold conditions, the reptile loses its appetite, becomes lethargic and inactive. The state of the turtle can be judged by the frequency of its emergence on the surface of the water.
- Purity. Pig turtles are susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections. Therefore, it is very important to monitor the purity of water. For sterilization, you need to use ultraviolet emitters, as well as provide powerful filtering of the aquarium. It is necessary to regularly purify water from pet waste products.
- Security. These turtles are curious about all new items. Therefore, the devices in the aquarium must be isolated from reptiles. Otherwise, the pet may break the aquarium equipment and get hurt. At the bottom you need to put stones with a smooth surface, without sharp edges. Turtles love to dig in the ground.
In an aquarium it is better to keep hard-leaved algae. These animals gnaw plants with soft leaves.
Feeding
How to feed a tailed turtle? These animals are unpretentious and almost omnivorous. Young reptiles need to be given food once a day. Adult turtles are fed 2-3 times a week, as their metabolism is very slow.
In young turtles, the diet should consist of 2/3 of plant foods and 1/3 of the animal. Food must be rich in vitamin D. The lack of this substance leads to a poor state of the shell. As the pet grows older, it is necessary to reduce the amount of animal protein in the diet and increase the amount of plant food.
Two-claw turtles can be given the following types of food:
- pumpkin slices;
- greens;
- fruits and berries;
- fish
- shrimp
- scallop;
- large bloodworm;
- squid;
- mussels;
- seaweed.
Greens, berries and fruits should be thoroughly washed and scalded with boiling water. Otherwise, the pet may get food poisoning or infection.
You can feed reptiles and ready-made feed from pet stores. Breeders of water turtles respond positively to the ready-made Repti-Gran food. This food contains many vitamins and minerals necessary for the normal growth of the turtle and the good condition of its shell. This product is available in the form of granules that do not pollute water.
Fish compatible
Two-clawed tortoise can be kept together only with large and non-aggressive species of fish. The reptile can eat small inhabitants of the aquarium. Aggressive fish can harm its shell, which is poorly restored.
At the age of 1 year, turtles are not recommended to be kept together with fish. They can attack a small reptile and cause fright and stress in it. Once the turtle has matured, it can be settled in a common aquarium with other inhabitants.
The following fish species should not be kept with reptiles:
- barbs;
- brocade and chain catfish;
- cichlid.
These fish can damage delicate skin on the tortoise shell.
In no case should you keep two turtles together. Reptiles are quite aggressive towards each other and can cause injuries to each other in the struggle for territory. The two-clawed turtle is not intended for living together in an aquarium with other individuals.