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Emys orbicularis


Emys orbicularis
Photo Information
Copyright: Iulian Gherghel (IulianGherghel) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 152 W: 2 N: 359] (1342)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-05-06
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Konica Minolta Dimage Z10, 2 GB, SD card
Exposure: f/4.8, 1/400 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-09-04 1:33
Viewed: 924
Points: 13
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Emys orbicularis - european pond terrapin
Size: the carapace may reach 14-17 cm in length; the male is smaller than the female.

Habitat: may be encountered in every lake, pond, slow moving water or abandoned river branches, where it finds the necessary food. The largest populations occur in the Danube Delta.

Behaviour: by day it basks on the shore or on tree trunks fallen into the water. Catches the prey and feeds only under water. Its life span is over 100 years. Rather shy and dives when disturbed.

Food habits: hunts underwater for fish, tadpoles, worms or aquatic insects. After being grabbed, larger prey is torn with the strong claws and then swallowed piece by piece.

Reproduction: mating takes place in April, the females lay a clutch of 3-16 eggs on land, in small holes in the ground which it digs itself and treads afterwards with the plastron. The hatchlings emerge during fall or next spring, are about 2,5 cm and have a soft carapace.

Enemies: only otters hunt them. In the Danube Delta fishermen kill it if caught in the trawls, pretending it destroys small fish.

Conservation: the species is threatened in Transylvania (because of fragmentation of areal and habitat destruction), and vulnerable in the rest of the country. It is STRICTLY PROTECTED.
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Iulian,
Nice photo of tihis cute reptile. You were lucky that animal was wet, so you get nice details. TFS. Mustafa

Hi Iulian,
Well composed image. The road needs to be repaired:-)
Well done
TFS
Annick

Nice photo but it would be better if the turtle was not in the center of the pic but a little right and down on the corner.

Hola Iulian, muchos días sin ver tu galería jejeje. Primero muchas gracias por tus comentarios. Bonita imagen de esa tortuga que yo desconozco totalmente, además , las pocas que quedan aquí, tanto acuáticas como terrestres, están siendo devastadas por el afan de riqueza de unos cuantos... una pena. Un abrazo y gracias por mostrarnos estas curiosidades para nosotros. J. Ignasi Tejedor

Hi Julian, lovely turtle with wonderful sharpness, great composition, very well done, ciao Silvio

Hello Iulian,
very good clarity, vivid colour and details on the capture comes with good pov too
well done
cheers
Tony

Hi Iulian,

A good POV of the turtle, the photo has a good composition, sharpness and nice colors. Thanks for sharing.

Pierre

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