Zoos with the rarest / most endangered freshwater turtles

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Spectacled caiman and Branderhorst snapping turtle. This is the exhibit I mentioned where they bred the turtles probably for the first time in European zoos. Possibly even the first time in Europe altogether. The caimans have now been replaced by three American alligators, which I believe are too large for the exhibit and they aren't even fully grown yet.

The Branderhorst is most definitely the more endangered there out of those two, don't you think it should have its own exhibit ?

It is an interesting exhibit though, are the American alligators mixed with the turtle too ?

 

[Jarne]

The Branderhorst is most definitely the more endangered there out of those two, don't you think it should have its own exhibit ?

It is an interesting exhibit though, are the American alligators mixed with the turtle too ?

With the caiman, I don't think the turtles needed a separate exhibit. First of all there isn't really an appropriate space for them available (the only other terrarium big enough is that of the Komodo dragons), and secondly they did breed there so they do seem to like it. They had a decent sized pool and a large sandy beach to lay eggs. It must be said that they are quite an audacious species that wasn't afraid of the larger caiman. Besides a few nips from the turtles to the caiman however the two species mostly ignored each other.

And yes, the caiman have simply been replaced by the alligators and two out of the three iguana species in the mix have been removed, so the turtles are still there. With the alligators it will be interesting to follow wether they will keep breeding, or wether they will receive too much stress from the cohabitation.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

With the caiman, I don't think the turtles needed a separate exhibit. First of all there isn't really an appropriate space for them available (the only other terrarium big enough is that of the Komodo dragons), and secondly they did breed there so they do seem to like it. They had a decent sized pool and a large sandy beach to lay eggs. It must be said that they are quite an audacious species that wasn't afraid of the larger caiman. Besides a few nips from the turtles to the caiman however the two species mostly ignored each other.

And yes, the caiman have simply been replaced by the alligators and two out of the three iguana species in the mix have been removed, so the turtles are still there. With the alligators it will be interesting to follow wether they will keep breeding, or wether they will receive too much stress from the cohabitation.

Well it is awesome that this species has bred there and kind of funny that they bossed the caiman around too lol.

Yes, I agree, interesting for sure, still not sure how I feel about these exhibits though.

 

[Penshet]

From what I've heard, the alligators at Antwerp are much more docile towards keepers than the caimans were - so hopefully the act the same way towards the turtles!

 

[RatioTile]

Who here has seen any of the Chitra or Pelochelys softshells? I emailed the Fort Worth Zoo about their Chitra chitra and they said unfortunately they no longer have it. Do San Diego and St. Louis still have their Chitra (I forget what species are at each)?

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

From what I've heard, the alligators at Antwerp are much more docile towards keepers than the caimans were - so hopefully the act the same way towards the turtles!

Maybe the keepers have to watch out more for those snapping turtles and their attitude lol

Who here has seen any of the Chitra or Pelochelys softshells? I emailed the Fort Worth Zoo about their Chitra chitra and they said unfortunately they no longer have it. Do San Diego and St. Louis still have their Chitra (I forget what species are at each)?

Don't think I've seen either of these, fascinating species though.

 

[birdsandbats]

Who here has seen any of the Chitra or Pelochelys softshells? I emailed the Fort Worth Zoo about their Chitra chitra and they said unfortunately they no longer have it. Do San Diego and St. Louis still have their Chitra (I forget what species are at each)?

I have seen Chitra chitra at Columbus and Saint Lous. Both still keep it AFAIK.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

I just saw this sign from the excellent Beauval zoo in France and thought I'd share it as I think it is a brilliantly designed piece of signage in terms of information / educational content and graphics.

Photo credits to @Antoine.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

This is quite an interesting photo.

These are apparently Cuban crocodiles (the one with the turtle sitting on its head certainly looks like a Cuban to me) that were / are housed with slider terrapins.

Anyone know of any other mixed-species Cuban crocodile and turtle exhibits out there?

Photo credit to @Daniel Sörensen

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Here is a photo from La Aurora zoo in Guatemala showing a mixed species exhibit with caiman and turtles.

Some of these look to be Central American river turtles to me, which are a critically endangered species.

@Carlos M do you know if these these turtles are Dermatemys mawii ?

Photo credit to @toto98

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Quite a beautiful enclosure for Australian freshwater turtles at the Sedgewick county zoo in the USA.

Species kept are apparently: Northern side neck turtle, fly river turtle, northern red faced turtle, painted side neck turtle.

A gigantic turtle enclosure at Schildpaddencentrum in the Netherlands.

Photo credit to @snowleopard.

 

[Daniel Sörensen]

This is quite an interesting photo.

These are apparently Cuban crocodiles (the one with the turtle sitting on its head certainly looks like a Cuban to me) that were / are housed with slider terrapins.

Anyone know of any other mixed-species Cuban crocodile and turtle exhibits out there?

Photo credit to @Daniel Sörensen

I don't remember if I wrote anything about that as a comment on the photo but I actually contacted the zoo and they confirmed that the one to the left is a Cuban crocodile and that the one to the right should be a Spectacled caiman. Just wanted to add that here!

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

I don't remember if I wrote anything about that as a comment on the photo but I actually contacted the zoo and they confirmed that the one to the left is a Cuban crocodile and that the one to the right should be a Spectacled caiman. Just wanted to add that here!

Thanks Daniel ! Thats brilliant !

Its curious because I've never seen Cuban crocs kept with turtles before at a zoo.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

More mixed-species freshwater turtle exhibits:

African mud turtle and sail-fin lizard enclosure at Antwerp zoo.

Chinese three keeled pond turtle and sail-fin lizard at Prairi Daiza zoo.

Painted terrapin and sail-fin lizard at Artis zoo.

African mud turtle and ornate monitor lizard at the Bronx zoo.

Capybara and yellow spotted river turtle at Burger's zoo.

This enclosure at the Singapore zoo apparently holds painted turtles with Proboscis monkeys, hornbills and muntjac.

Northern diamond back turtle and striped killifish aquarium at the Virginia Living Museum.

Krefft's turtle and green tree frog at Kuranda Koala Gardens.

Matamata, narrow bridged musk turtle and Amazonian milk frog exhibit at Buffalo zoo.

Catfish and turtles (species ?) at Virginia Living Museum.

Arrau side necked turtle and red tailed catfish at Dallas World Aquarium.

Snapping turtle and carp exhibit at Busumer Meereswelten.

Photo credit to @vogelcommando., @KevinB, @JigerofLemuria, @ZooGirl101, @TinoPup and @Zooish .

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Interesting educational display next to a freshwater turtle aquarium at the Tennesse Aquarium.

Yellow blotched map turtle at the same aquarium.

Big bend sliders at the same aquarium.

Turtle aquarium.

The impressive turtle gallery at the aquarium.

Indian black turtle aquarium.

Impressive signage / educational displays.

Some more turtles held.

Barbour's map turtle.

Turtles and alligator companion.

Snake necked turtle.

Photo credit to @geomorph, @snowleopard, @ThylacineAlive and @dmanwarren.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

This issue of the EAZA magazine Zooquaria is an excellent read on freshwater turtle conservation and these species in zoos.

Check out the link below:

https://www.eaza.net/assets/Uploads/Zooquaria/ZQIssues/2020/ZQ107final-web-v1.pdf

 

[Great Argus]

Who here has seen any of the Chitra or Pelochelys softshells? I emailed the Fort Worth Zoo about their Chitra chitra and they said unfortunately they no longer have it. Do San Diego and St. Louis still have their Chitra (I forget what species are at each)?

San Diego should still have Chitra chitra mixed with Gharial and a couple other rare turtles.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

San Diego should still have Chitra chitra mixed with Gharial and a couple other rare turtles.

Do you think the mixing with the gharial works from an educational point of view ?

or is it better for freshwater turtles to be displayed / showcased by themselves as standalone exhibits ?

 

[Great Argus]

Do you think the mixing with the gharial works from an educational point of view ?

or is it better for freshwater turtles to be displayed / showcased by themselves as standalone exhibits ?

I think the mix works pretty well, it's dedicated more interesting to watch.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

I think the mix works pretty well, it's dedicated more interesting to watch.

Well I suppose it is biogeographically correct too, kind of.