{"product_id":"yellow-pond-turtle","title":"Yellow Pond Turtle (Mauremys mutica)","description":"\u003ch2 data-start=\"169\" data-end=\"198\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"172\" data-end=\"198\"\u003eYellow Pond Turtle\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"200\" data-end=\"319\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"200\" data-end=\"220\"\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem data-start=\"221\" data-end=\"257\"\u003eMauremys mutica\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"257\" data-end=\"260\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"260\" data-end=\"276\"\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yellow pond turtle, \u003cspan\u003eAsian yellow pond turtle\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"321\" data-end=\"324\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"326\" data-end=\"350\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"330\" data-end=\"350\"\u003eSpecies Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"351\" data-end=\"469\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"351\" data-end=\"360\"\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e These turtles typically reach 5 to 8 inches (15 to 19.5 cm) - females and males will remain around the same size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"471\" data-end=\"1013\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"471\" data-end=\"486\"\u003eAppearance:\u003c\/strong\u003e  Most easily identified by the broad pale yellow stripe stretching from the eye, over the tympanum, and down along the neck, and the plastron will have two rows of black spots. Shell is oval and ranges from dark greyish brown to nut brown. Juveniles will have a strong median keel and two less pronounced lateral keels on the carapace which will smooth out as they mature. Males possess a concave plastron and longer tails than females, with the vent present beyond the margin of the carapace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1015\" data-end=\"1181\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1015\" data-end=\"1032\"\u003eDistribution:\u003c\/strong\u003e Native to East Asia, ranging from central Vietnam and Laos, north through the coastal provinces of south and central China, with insular populations known from Taiwan, Hainan and the Ryukyu Islands.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1183\" data-end=\"1497\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1183\" data-end=\"1195\"\u003eHabitat:\u003c\/strong\u003e In the wild, this species inhabits calm, shallow waters such as marshes, ponds, ditches, swamps, and seasonal wetlands. These areas often have muddy bottoms and dense vegetation. In captivity, they require a shallow-to-moderate-depth aquatic setup with both submerged and surface-level hiding options.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1499\" data-end=\"1798\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1499\" data-end=\"1513\"\u003eBehaviour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Red-cheeked Mud Turtles are bottom-walkers rather than free-swimmers, preferring to explore substrate, vegetation, and debris. They bask intermittently, especially in warmer seasons, and become bold feeders once established. They make frequent use of buried or low-cover hiding spots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"1800\" data-end=\"1803\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1805\" data-end=\"1825\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1809\" data-end=\"1825\"\u003eCaptive Care\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1826\" data-end=\"2181\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1826\" data-end=\"1840\"\u003eEnclosure:\u003c\/strong\u003e Provide an aquatic enclosure with a minimum footprint of 36 × 18 inches (90 × 45 cm) for one adult. Include moderate water depth, submerged hides, driftwood, rocks, and soft substrate areas. Offer a dry basking platform and a small land section for resting. Use strong but gentle filtration to maintain water quality without excessive flow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2183\" data-end=\"2348\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2183\" data-end=\"2212\"\u003eTemperature and Humidity:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2212\" data-end=\"2215\"\u003eWater temperature: 75 to 80°F (24 to 27°C)\u003cbr data-start=\"2257\" data-end=\"2260\"\u003eBasking area: 88 to 92°F (31 to 33°C)\u003cbr data-start=\"2297\" data-end=\"2300\"\u003eAmbient air temperature: 78 to 84°F (26 to 29°C)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2350\" data-end=\"2529\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2350\" data-end=\"2363\"\u003eLighting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Provide full-spectrum lighting with \u003cstrong data-start=\"2400\" data-end=\"2414\"\u003e10–12% UVB\u003c\/strong\u003e to support healthy shell development and metabolism. Ensure the basking zone is stable, fully dry, and accessible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2531\" data-end=\"2808\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2531\" data-end=\"2540\"\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Offer a varied omnivorous diet including insects, worms, snails, small fish, aquatic invertebrates, high-quality turtle pellets, leafy greens, and aquatic vegetation. Juveniles need a higher protein ratio, while adults thrive on a balanced mix with more plant matter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2810\" data-end=\"3073\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2810\" data-end=\"2837\"\u003eBehaviour in Captivity:\u003c\/strong\u003e These turtles are hardy, curious, and adaptable. They explore actively, sift through substrate, and utilise hides frequently. They thrive in well-structured, moderately shallow habitats and often become responsive to feeding schedules.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"3075\" data-end=\"3078\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"3080\" data-end=\"3110\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3084\" data-end=\"3110\"\u003eSpecial Considerations\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3111\" data-end=\"3325\"\u003e• Avoid deep water without resting zones—this is a bottom-walking species.\u003cbr data-start=\"3185\" data-end=\"3188\"\u003e• Provide multiple underwater and surface hides.\u003cbr data-start=\"3236\" data-end=\"3239\"\u003e• Filtration must be strong but low-flow.\u003cbr data-start=\"3280\" data-end=\"3283\"\u003e• Juveniles require higher protein levels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"3327\" data-end=\"3330\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"3332\" data-end=\"3353\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3336\" data-end=\"3353\"\u003eTaxonomy Note\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3354\" data-end=\"3525\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne subspecies, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eM. m. kami\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, is currently recognized in the southern Ryukyu Islands. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEYasukawaOtaIverson1996_5-2\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003eResearch has shown unexpected genetic diversity in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eM. mutica\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, raising the possibility that additional subspecies might exist. Evidence of widespread hybridization further complicates efforts to understand the genetics of this and related species.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"3527\" data-end=\"3530\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"3532\" data-end=\"3553\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3536\" data-end=\"3553\"\u003eGenetics Note\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3554\" data-end=\"3735\"\u003eThere are no recognized morphs for the Yellow Pond Turtle. Differences in cheek coloration, shell shade, and plastron patterns reflect natural individual and locality variation.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tails and Scales","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48742786629847,"sku":"CITES","price":650.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0016\/8611\/0252\/files\/IMG_3120.jpg?v=1780767245","url":"https:\/\/tailsandscales.ca\/products\/yellow-pond-turtle","provider":"Tails and Scales ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}