About Mauremys rivulata (Valenciennes, 1833)
Mauremys rivulata is a fairly large species of terrapin. Adults reach a maximum carapace length of 25 cm (10 in), with an average straight carapace length of roughly 15 cm (6 in). Females of this species are slightly larger than males. Hatchlings are usually between 3 and 4 centimetres (1.2 and 1.6 in) in carapace length. Their carapaces range in color from black to olive green, and their plastrons (belly shells) are black. The black plastron color frequently fades as the turtles age. This species also has horizontal yellowish lines running along its neck and limbs. This terrapin is distributed across the Balkan Peninsula, including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. It can also be found on a number of Mediterranean islands including Crete, Cyprus and Lesvos, and in the Middle East, including Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey. On some Greek and Turkish islands where the species occurs, populations may be threatened with extirpation. The species mostly occurs in lowland areas, though individuals have been recorded at elevations up to 900 metres (3,000 ft) above sea level. It inhabits wetland habitats including swamps, rivers, and ponds, but lays its eggs in grassland regions. Large birds and predacious mammals such as mongoose prey on this species, and these mammals also feed on the terrapins' eggs. Smaller carnivores may prey on younger turtles, which have softer shells.
