# Japanese pond turtle (*Mauremys japonica*) The Japanese pond turtle is a small, friendly turtle that loves to swim in ponds and rivers. It has a beautiful shell that can be brown or green, and it enjoys basking in the sun on warm days. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Japanese pond turtle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Mauremys_japonica_fase.jpg&width=800) Photo: Ceiocaciaca, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mauremys_japonica_fase.jpg) ## Appearance The Japanese pond turtle has a smooth, somewhat flattened carapace, typically dark brown or olive, with faint darker markings. Its head and limbs are similarly colored, often with yellow or orange stripes. The plastron is yellowish with large dark blotches, distinguishing it from other plain-bellied turtles. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Testudines - **Order:** Testudines - **Family:** Geoemydidae - **Genus:** Mauremys ## Interesting facts - Females use their back legs to dig nests on land for their eggs! - Some male Japanese pond turtles make special sounds to attract females! - These turtles can be found near hot springs in volcanic regions! - They love to sunbathe on rocks and logs to warm up their bodies! ## Special abilities - **Camouflage Master:** Japanese pond turtle can blend into muddy pond bottoms because of its drab, earthy colors that help them hide from predators and prey. - **Cold Sleeper:** Japanese pond turtle can brumate during winter because it helps them survive periods of cold temperatures and scarce food. - **Underwater Breath-Holder:** Japanese pond turtle can stay underwater for long periods because its metabolism slows down, allowing it to conserve oxygen. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 12-22 cm - **Weight:** 0.3-1 kg - **Lifespan:** 25-35 years - **Swim Speed:** 8 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-10 - **Incubation:** 60-80 days - **Maximum Depth:** 5 m ## Diet & Feeding They munch on plants, insects, and small aquatic critters found in their watery homes. - **Age differences:** Juveniles eat more insects; adults consume more plants. - **Primary Foods:** Aquatic plants, Insect larvae, Snails, Small fish - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Large-billed Crow (*Corvus macrorhynchos*) — Crows prey on eggs and young hatchlings. - **Eaten by:** Japanese Marten (*Martes melampus*) — Martens hunt turtle eggs and vulnerable hatchlings. - **Hunts:** Japanese Rice Fish (*Oryzias latipes*) — Actively preys on small fish in its habitat. - **Eats:** Broad-leaved Pondweed (*Potamogeton natans*) — Grazes on aquatic plants and algae. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [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. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch turtles from a distance and never try to pick them up without asking an adult. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Japanese 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 Japanese pond turtle? 12-22 cm ### How much does Japanese pond turtle weigh? 0.3-1 kg ### How long does Japanese pond turtle live? 25-35 years ### What does Japanese pond turtle eat? They munch on plants, insects, and small aquatic critters found in their watery homes. ### How fast can Japanese pond turtle swim? 8 km/h ### Where is Japanese pond turtle usually found? Wetlands ### How does Japanese pond turtle hunt? Foraging ## 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: [Japanese pond turtle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/japanese-pond-turtle)