# European Pond Turtle (*Emys orbicularis*) The European Pond Turtle is a friendly turtle that likes to sunbathe on riverbanks. They have a dark, smooth shell and enjoy swimming in calm waters! - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Ponds, lakes, and marshes - **Also known as:** Common Pond Turtle, European Pond Tortoise ![European Pond Turtle](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424840/objects/5629.jpg) ## Appearance The European Pond Turtle has a dark, often olive to brownish-black, oval shell adorned with distinctive yellow speckles. Its head, neck, and limbs are also marked with bright yellow spots, making it visually distinct from most duller-colored freshwater turtles. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Testudines - **Order:** Testudines - **Family:** Emydidae - **Genus:** Emys ## Interesting facts - Female pond turtles can travel surprisingly far from water to lay their eggs safely. - It's Europe's only native freshwater turtle, a true European original! - Their unique yellow speckles act like a fingerprint, no two turtles are exactly alike! - They can completely pull their head and limbs inside their shell for ultimate protection. ## Special abilities - **Aquatic Camouflage:** European Pond Turtle has a dark, speckled shell that helps them blend perfectly with muddy pond bottoms and vegetated waters. - **Breath-Holding Champ:** European Pond Turtle can stay underwater for extended periods because of its efficient lungs, helping them hunt and hide. - **Mud Hibernation:** European Pond Turtle can bury itself in mud during winter or drought because it helps them survive extreme environmental changes. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 12-38 cm - **Weight:** 0.3-1.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 30-60 years - **Speed:** 0.5 km/h - **Swim Speed:** 3 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-16 - **Incubation:** 60-100 days - **Maximum Depth:** 3 m ## Diet & Feeding They are opportunistic eaters, feasting on almost anything small they can catch! - **Age differences:** Young turtles are mainly carnivorous, while adults incorporate more plant matter into their diet. - **Primary Foods:** Aquatic insects, Tadpoles, Small fish, Crustaceans, Aquatic plants, Carrion - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Grey Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/grey-heron) (*Ardea cinerea*) — Young turtles are a food source for large wading birds. - **Hunts:** Common Minnow (*Phoxinus phoxinus*) — Actively hunts small fish in its freshwater environment. - **Eats:** White Water Lily (*Nymphaea alba*) — Sometimes grazes on parts of aquatic plants and algae. - **Eaten by:** [Brown Rat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-rat) (*Rattus norvegicus*) — Nests are vulnerable to predation by opportunistic mammals. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Armored](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/armored): Armored describes animals protected by a hard, external covering or shell for defense. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify European Pond Turtle? Compare shell shape, shell markings, head stripes and the shape of the feet. Wear, age and algae can hide shell patterns. Turtle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is European Pond Turtle? 12-38 cm ### How much does European Pond Turtle weigh? 0.3-1.5 kg ### How long does European Pond Turtle live? 30-60 years ### How fast can European Pond Turtle move? 0.5 km/h ### What does European Pond Turtle eat? They are opportunistic eaters, feasting on almost anything small they can catch! ### How fast can European Pond Turtle swim? 3 km/h ### Where is European Pond Turtle usually found? Ponds, lakes, and marshes ## Where to spot - [s’Albufera de Mallorca Natural Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/salbufera-de-mallorca-natural-park) — Illes Balears, ES · Park - [Ebro Riparian Woods and Oxbows Nature Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ebro-riparian-woods-and-oxbows-nature-reserve) — Aragón, ES · Park - [Tierpark & Kloster Riesa](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tierpark-riesa) — Sachsen, DE · Zoo - [Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/schorfheide-chorin-biosphere-reserve) — Brandenburg, DE · Park - [Tierpark Herborn](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tierpark-herborn) — Hessen, DE · Zoo - [Sotos del Ebro en Alfaro Nature Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sotos-del-ebro-en-alfaro-nature-reserve) — La Rioja, ES · Park [View all places to see European Pond Turtle](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/european-pond-turtle) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [European Pond Turtle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-pond-turtle)